Car dealers blame confusion over VRT for 22% sales dip

MOTOR dealers yesterday blamed the economic downturn and confusion over the Government’s Vehicle Road Tax (VRT) changes for last month’s 22% fall in new car sales.

Dealers also said the joint St Patrick’s and Easter holiday fortnight during March had also blighted sales of new cars.

Figures released yesterday showed 20,190 new cars were registered in March — 22.3% lower than the same month last year when 25,974 were recorded.