Car registrations up in Louth with big increase in imports

LOUTH is bucking the national tread as new car registrations are up for the first six months of 2018 compared to the same time last year,

According to the latest official statistics released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), that the total new car registrations for the month of June were down 10.4% when compared to June 2017. Registrations year to date are 4.5% down on the same period last year.

However, in Louth, the total of new car registrations is 1,943, representing a 0.67% increase on the first half of 2017. Figures dipped in June as motorists waited for the new 182 registration plates with 21 new registrations as opposed to 33 in June 2017.

Nissan, Toyota and Ford are the most popular marks with Louth car buyers with jeeps/SUVs and hatchbacks topping the type of vehicles purchased. Although there has been a 20% decline in the numbers of diesel engines sold they are still more popular than petrol engines with petrol/electric, electric and hybrids all showing an increase.

Grey is the most popular colour car for Louth motorists followed by white/ivory and red/maroon.

There’s been a big increase in the numbers of used cars imports from the UK as Louth motorists go across the border in search of a bargain, taking advantage of a favourable exchange rate. There has been a 12.23% increase in used car imports, at 1,832 vehicles, to date.