New car numbers show fall of 8.6%

The number of new cars on the State's roads is down 8.6 per cent this year.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show 36,081 new cars were taxed for the first time between January and March, compared to 39,484 over the same period last year. The number of new cars first taxed in March was down 14.6 per cent on the same month last year. However, last year’s sales were bolstered by the Government’s scrappage scheme, which ended last June.

Toyota recorded the most new private cars on the road this year, with 5,320, followed by Volkswagen, Ford and Nissan. At the premium end of the market 1,436 new BMWs were taxed compared with 1,365 Audis, and 858 Mercedes-Benz. Of the ten most popular car brands, only Skoda and Hyundai recorded increases compared to the first quarter of 2011.

So far this year, 73 per cent of the new cars licensed were diesel and 23 per cent petrol.

The CSO figures differ from those issued earlier this week by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI). The CSO measures the number of cars taxed for the first time while the SIMI figures are based on new registrations issued by the Vehicle Registration Office. The SIMI registration figures showed the new car market down 9 per cent in March and 4.3 per cent on the first quarter. Total new car registrations from January to March were 45,898.

The difference between this and the CSO figure is due to the time lag between the registration of some private cars and the new owner paying motor tax on the vehicle. It can also be accounted for in new cars registered for the rental market but not yet taxed, or cars registered by dealers to secure sales bonuses but still unsold.

Top 10 new car brands: January to March 2012

Toyota – 5,320

Volkswagen – 4,360

Ford – 4,021

Nissan – 3,017

Renault – 2,674

Skoda – 2,268

Hyundai – 2,169

Opel – 1,995

Kia – 1,436

BMW – 1,429