Fear of a recession has failed to cool motorists' passion for luxury cars, according to new figures which reveal record pre-Christmas sales of prestige marques.
Demand for high-end motors surged to a monthly high in December although the overall market contracted significantly last year, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Saab and Land Rover together shifted 415 new and second-hand cars in the Christmas run-up, compared with 297 in 1999, a record year for auto sales. BMW underscored its reputation as the executive's favourite, selling 143 models, ahead of rival Mercedes-Benz (137) and Audi (67).
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) said the luxury car niche appeared to have weathered the downturn but pointed out that it comprised no more than 5 per cent of the market by volume.
Mr Bernard Devaney, spokesman for Jaguar Ireland - whose turnover is not recorded by the CSO - said demand was surging ahead of predictions.
"It's extremely buoyant for all the luxury manufacturers; Jaguar, Mercedes and BMWs are all flying out the doors," he said.
Mr Mario Mellamphy, marketing manager of Belgard Motors, one of Dublin's largest Mercedes dealers, suggested the launch of the manufacturer's new E-class saloon had fuelled sales.
While December sales climbed substantially in all categories against the same month in 2001, year-on-year revenues slumped markedly, the CSO said. New and second-hand sales dipped to 220,878 from 236,859 in 2001 and 314,292 in 2000.
But the pronounced upturn recorded in December appeared to have persisted into the new year, said Mr Cyril McHugh, chief executive of SIMI.
