Number of new cars sold falls 56 per cent

The number of new cars sold last month was down 55.9 per cent compared to the same month a year ago, according to figures released today by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).

Just 644 cars were purchased in November versus 1,416 in the same month in 2007.

Sales for the first eleven months of the year are down 18.6 per cent with 151.426 vehicles sold so far in 2008, compared to 186,096 in the same period in 2007.

Light Commercial Vehicle registrations for the first eleven months of 2008 (29, 864) declined 31.5 per cent to 29,864, while Heavy Vehicle (HGV) registrations fell 35.4 per cent to 3,495.
(5,417).

Sales of imported used cars were down 17.3 per cent in November, compared to the same month a year ago.

The motor industry in Ireland currently employs more than 50,000 people, but SIMI warned today that job losses are likely unless action is taken to stimulate business.

Earlier this week the organisation called for the introduction of a scrappage scheme, which it said would boost car sales and lead to the removal of high polluting vehicles from Irish roads.