New car sales up almost 5% year-on-year

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today released figures for new car sales for November.

Despite the number of new cars sold in November 2007 (1,461) was 13.81% down on November 2006 (1,695), while sales for the first 11 months of the year (186,096) were 4.85% up on the same period in 2006 (177,488).

Light commercial vehicle sales for the first 11 months of 2007 (43,621) are up 7.53% on the same period last year (40,565) while heavy vehicle sales are down 6.65% (5,417) up to end of November 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 (5,803).

Commenting on the upcoming Budget, SIMI chief executive, Cyril McHugh said: "From media reports, it appears fairly certain that the Budget on Wednesday next will contain a complete rather than a partial move in VRT to a CO2 base."

"We need to see the detailed breakdown of the rates and the CO2 bands before commenting on the effects of these changes on the motor business."

"However if, as speculated, the VRT base moves to CO2, then the minister should immediately introduce a refund of the relevant amount of this tax should a used car be exported.

"It is inconceivable that a used car being exported from Ireland would not get a refund of this CO2 tax, as it will no longer produce such emissions in the state. We will need to see the immediate introduction of such a measure."

Details of sales of new cars, light commercial vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles and buses are attached.