50% jump in new cars being licensed

The number of new private cars licensed last month was up over 50% on July 2014 figures, according to the CSO.

There were 21,290 new private cars licensed for the first time in July, a rise of 51.7% on July 2014.

The number of new private cars licensed in July surpassed the January figures for the first time since the introduction of the dual registration system in 2013.

The issuing of two new registration plates every year (for example, 151 and 152), is to spread car purchases more evenly over the year.

Over the first seven months of 2015 there have been 99,950 new cars licensed — a 31% increase compared with the same period last year.

Hyundai (2,554) was the most popular maker of new private cars licensed in July, followed by Toyota (2,274), Volkswagen (2,237), Nissan (2,111), and Ford (2,110) They represent just over half (53%) of all new private cars licensed.

In the first seven months of the year, 71% of new private cars licensed were diesel.

The number of new goods vehicles licensed last month increased by 54% (850), bringing the total to 2,429.

Figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show a 30% hike in new car sales so far this year.

The “152” sales figures for July are up 48% (27,633) compared to July last year.

Light commercial vehicles were up 49% (3,768) on July 2014 (2,535) and over the year to date are up 54% (18,426) on the same period in 2014.

Heavy goods vehicles are also up for the month of July at 41% (291) compared to the same month last year (207) and overall are up 9% (1,556).

The buoyancy in the market has resulted in predictions for the end-of-year total increasing to 123,000 new car registrations — which would be a 27% growth on 2014.

SIMI president Mark Boggan said the dual registration plate system has been a huge success. Sales were occurring in the second half of the year at rates never seen before. New car sales in July reached 93% of sales achieved in January, compared to 82% last year, 67% in 2013, and 21% in 2012.

However, monthly vehicle licensing figures, compiled from data supplied from the Department of Transport, are thought to be a better reflection of sales. Vehicles are only licensed at the point of sale and that occurs when a valid motor tax disc is issued for the first time. In some cases, a vehicle may be registered by a dealership in advance of a sale. Also, a buyer may want to defer collecting and licensing of a vehicle until the start of the following month.