March New Car Registrations Down 63% as Covid-19 puts Brakes on Sales

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today released their official new vehicle statistics. New car registrations for March were down 63% (6,174) when compared to March 2019 (16,687). Registrations year to date are also down 20.5% (51,015) on the same period last year (64,126).

Light Commercials vehicles (LCV) are down 52.9% (1,434) compared to March last year (3,044) and year to date are down 15.2% (9,378). HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are up 17.67% (313) in comparison to March 2019 (266). Year to date HGV's are up 12.59% (993).

Used car imports for March (4,656) have seen a decrease of 48.1% on March 2019 (8,970). Year to date imports are down 34.9% (17,471) on 2019 (26,832).

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General commenting on the market figures said:

“The health of our nation is the overriding priority. The Motor Industry will assist the State in any way we can during this pandemic. While showrooms, service and other activities within the Industry are closed, members are available to assist in emergency call-out or delivery services. This will be vital in keeping essential and emergency services moving.

The Motor Industry and its employees, like so many Industries, is feeling the devastating impact of COVID-19. Even before the crisis commenced, the new car market was in decline, and this fall has accelerated rapidly in the last fortnight with new car activity down nearly two-thirds on last year. Whatever the duration of this crisis, once we emerge, we will need to see decisive and ambitious action from Government to protect the nearly 50,000 jobs in our sector.”

2020 Total New Vehicle Stats

• New car sales year to date (2020) 51,015 v (2019) 64,126 -20.5%
• New car sales total March (2020) 6,174 v (2019) 16,687 -63.0%
• Light Commercial Vehicles sales year to date (2020) 9,378 v (2019) 11,057 -15.2%
• Light Commercial Vehicles sales total March (2020) 1,434 v (2019) 3,044 -52.9%
• Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales year to date (2020) 993 v (2019) 882 +12.59%
• Heavy Goods Vehicle sales total March (2020) 313 v (2019) 266 +17.67%
• Used Car Imports total year to date (2020) 17,471 v (2019) 26,832 -34.9%
• Used Car Imports total March (2020) 4,656 v (2019) 8,970 -48.1%
• Electric Vehicle sales year to date (2020) 1,667 v (2019) 1,435 +16.17%
• Electric Vehicles Car total March (2020) 379 v (2019) 311 +21.86%
• 5 Top Selling Car Brands 2020 were: 1.Toyota 2. Volkswagen 3.Hyundai 4.Skoda 5.Ford
• 5 Top car model’s year 2020 were 1.Toyota Corolla 2. Hyundai Tucson 3.Volkswagen Tiguan 4. Ford Focus 5. Skoda Octavia
• Top Selling Car March 2020: Toyota Corolla
• Market share by engine type 2020: Diesel 43.86%, Petrol 38.42%, Hybrid 12.17%, Electric 3.27% and Plug-In Hybrid 2.02%
• Table below shows new car registrations by county for January to March 2020.
  (Click Here to download table pdf)

For further information:
Teresa Noone, SIMI, Tel 087 792 8844 Email tnoone@simi.ie