Car dealers cash in on SSIA year
Last night trade body, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), hailed the figures as proof of the strength of the economy.
“People said the economy has slowed down but it is still outperforming other countries,” said SIMI director-general designate Alan Nolan.
“The key driver is the number of people in work: they need transport to get to work and jobs mean they can purchase cars.”
He said the SSIA savings bonuses, the last of which was paid in April, also contributed to last year’s healthy sales.
Last year car dealers in Ireland sold 186,540 cars — the second highest number in the history of the State. The year before garages sold 178,484, meaning sales rose 4.51% in 2007.
The highest year for sales was 2000 when Irish motorists bought 230,804 cars as the economy roared ahead.
Last year the most popular make was Toyota, which sold 28,023 vehicles, a 15.02% share of the market.
In second place was Volkswagen with sales of 21,274 cars (11.4% market share) and — just 18 cars behind — was Ford with sales of 21,256 cars (11.39%).
Just one car made by Indian firm Tata was bought while only three cars with the Smart marque were sold.
Mr Nolan, who takes over from long-standing SIMI chief executive Cyril McHugh in March, said motorists who bought new cars during 2007 had paid a massive amount in tax to the state’s coffers.
“They are now beginning to see the benefit of that in terms of improved roads but more needs to be done,” he said.
