Total new car sales are up 23% on the same period last year
New car registrations for the month of May were down -6%(6,532) compared to May 2015 (6,919) while total new car sales are up 23% (99,740) on the same period last year (80,889), according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
The body says Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV), are currently up 8% (1,839) on May 2015 (1,705) and year to date are up 27% (17,561) overall. While Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations, are also up 38% for the month of May (307) 2016 compared to the same month last year (222), and are up 53% year to date.
Commenting on the figurers SIMI Director General Alan Nolan said, ‘After three years of sustained growth year on year the Industry took a pause for breath in May this year.
‘ The new shape of seasonality in the Industry is settling-in with the sector now beginning to turn its focus on the 162 period for new car sales. Since the introduction of the dual registration plate system, the percentage of new car registrations occurring in the second half of the year has been increasing year on year from 14% in 2011 to 34% last year.’
Mr Nolan said this new shape to the year gives dealers a better opportunity to focus on used car sales at this stage in the year to help clear the decks in anticipation of the next key sales period for new cars.
‘ The overall registration numbers are very strong and set the Industry on course for the best registration numbers in over seven years,’ he said.
While many manufacturers have started their 162 campaign offerings early, the Industry is still open for business on new as well as used cars in the remaining weeks of the 161 period so consumers can take advantage of attractive deals still to be had in June, so as always our advice is to get out there and shop around!, particularly with the Wexford Motor Show taking place next weekend.
Registrations have reached almost 100,000 in the first 5 months of this year which is the highest recorded sales for this time frame in the past seven years. Wexford was recently host to an electric car navigating an epic new road trip, Route 57.
The journey, spanning 2,590 miles, consists of must-see destinations across the UK and Ireland, including Wexford. The pioneering driver, motoring journalist Jess Shanahan, travelled in an electric car along the home-grown answer to America’s iconic Route 66, stopping to enjoy the breath-taking sights and local sites, among them The Bullring.
Route 57 was designed by Jurys Inn staff, who used their local travel expertise to create an exciting, diverse road trip. Jess began her Route 57 journey in Plymouth and ended in Galway, visiting picturesque countryside, bustling cities, and quaint country villages along the way. Irish destinations included on Route 57 are Belfast, Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Cork and Galway. UK locations on the route span England, Scotland and Wales.
‘With spectacular scenes, awe-inspiring landscapes and hidden cultural delights dotted throughout, Route 57 is a truly legendary road trip that should be experienced at least once in a lifetime. My experience of Wexford was unforgettableso much to see and do! The weather was sunny and beautiful, and I look forward to coming back to Wexford again soon,’ said Jess.
Jess drove a Kia Soul EV supplied by leasing company DriveElectric, and stopped at charging stations along the route, mapped out by ZapMap. To explore Jess’ journey, and for route details and other resources to help you plan your ultimate road trip, visit www.route57.org.uk