SALES of new cars have finally begun to recover after one of the worst years for the motor industry, when overall sales fell by 66% in 2009.
Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the number of new private cars licensed in February jumped by more than 33% on the corresponding month last year.
There were 11,707 new private vehicles licensed last month compared with 8,793 in February 2009 – an increase of 2,914.
However, last month’s increase, while welcomed by the motor industry, still compares very unfavourably with the 24,290 vehicles registered in February 2008 at the height of the economic boom.
The number of new goods vehicles also rose last month by 36% to 1,494. However, the number of used, imported cars fell by 31% to 3,827 in February.
The CSO figures largely tally with separate results published by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry last week which reported increased sales of 39%, with the number of new cars sold in February totalling 12,306.
The difference is largely explained by the time lag it takes some motorists to tax/licence their vehicles for road use.
Overall, the total of new vehicles taxed in the first two months of 2010 stands at 22,176 compared to 19,789 in the corresponding period last year – an increase of 12%. Diesel models accounted for just over 58% of all new vehicles licensed last month, while petrol versions make up 37% of the total.
The CSO figures show that Toyota recaptured the No 1 position as best-selling manufacturer from Ford last month, despite the negative publicity over the Japanese car maker being forced to recall millions of vehicles worldwide over acceleration and braking problems.
A total of 1,663 new Toyota vehicles were licensed in February, followed by Volkswagen (1,460), Ford (1,402) and Renault (1,094).
On combined figures for the first two months of 2010, Toyota also holds the top position ahead of Ford and Volkswagen.
Separate figures published by the CSO show the number of new vehicles registered with the Revenue Commissioners last month rose by almost 16% to 11,990.
However, in a sign that motorists are becoming more price conscious, cars worth less than €20,000 accounted for almost half of all sales.
Just 1% of vehicles registered last month are worth in excess of €60,000. The majority of the 99 vehicles registered in that category were Mercedes Benz, Lexus, Audi and BMW.
The increase in new vehicles sold in February is particularly welcome after the figures for January 2010 had recorded an unexpected decline given the introduction of the Government’s car scrappage scheme to boost the ailing motor sector.
However, industry experts claimed the surprise 5% drop in January was largely due to the extended period of cold, freezing weather at the start of the year which led many customers to postpone the purchase of new cars.
The SIMI has described the surge in car sales as very positive, despite coming from a low base.
"Feedback from dealers around the country is also indicating that the strong activity both in terms of footfall and sales is ongoing," said SIMI director general Alan Nolan.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, March 09, 2010
