Car sales dip but manufacturing up

Irish consumer confidence remained shaky last month with new car sales continuing their slide with a 24% year-on-year decline.

New figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that 7,865 new cars were sold in April compared to just under 10,400 in the same month last year.

SIMI director general Alan Nolan said the latest data supports the previously-held expectation 2017 could be an unpredictable year for the industry.