Car sales have surpassed sales for all of 2013

New car sales have surpassed car sales for the whole of 2013. As of July 9th, 74,911 new cars have been sold so far this year, a 28% increase on the same period last year and ahead of the full year 2013.

 

One week into the new 142 registration period, 9,207 new cars have been sold, an increase of 79% on last year.

 

SIMI (Society of the Irish Motor Industry) released the figures ahead of the launch of their Second Quarter Motor Industry Review next Tuesday, 15th July.

 

Alan Nolan, Director General commented, “The second year of the July plate change has seen customers, both business and retail, become more comfortable with the dual plate concept. This, allied to improved consumer confidence and the increased availability of finance, has led to more showroom activity, which benefits customers, the trade and Exchequer finances. With the offers that are available for the month of July, it looks like it’s going to be the busiest July for car sales for many years.”

 

“In fact, the first day of the 142 plate was the best day for car sales in 6 years, since before the recession. We still need to see this improvement in context, though. It is still potentially fragile and even with the growth we have seen, we are still likely to finish around 60% of the pre-recession market.”

 

Next week SIMI and Done Deal will release their Second Quarter Motor Industry Review. The review, authored by Economist Jim Power, will examine these figures in depth along with detailing new jobs created in the sector, the counties that have seen the most growth along with analysing current trends in the industry for the second quarter of 2014.  For more information go to www.simi.ie/quarterlyreview