SALES OF large cars are plummeting as motorists switch to more environmentally friendly models, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.
Sales of the largest cars, with engine sizes of 2.4 litres and upwards, fell 27 per cent in the first four months of the year, the CSO figures show.
While car sales are down across all engine size categories, the steepest fall was recorded in sales of "gas guzzling" large cars.
Some had predicted a rush to buy big cars in advance of VRT and road tax changes to be introduced in July, which will make it more expensive to buy and tax larger models. However, Alan Nolan, deputy chief executive of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry said the figures showed that there had been "no mad rush" to buy "gas guzzlers".
"It shows that people have begun to make a move towards better choices environmentally when choosing a new car," he said.
Car sales figures for May, to be released this week, are expected to show an even larger drop in new car sales.
Mr Nolan said there was clear evidence of a "pause" in sales in advance of the changes in regulations. Many customers were confused about the changes because they seemed complex and involved so many variables. Under the changes, the VRT rate will be determined by the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions rating of the car and not engine size.