New car sales figures are up slightly – both nationally and here in Laois; but how are the trends looking after the first half of 2024?
Across Ireland, new car sales went up in the first six months of the year on the same period in 2023, but only by a modest 1.7%, up from 77,602 to 78,934.
Laois has seen a higher increase, but still a modest rise of 5.8% year on year, up from 882 to 933.
All statistics are according to figures released by the Society for the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
Sales of new Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are both up by almost 18% compared to the first half of last year, while Imported Used Cars have seen an increase of over 25% in that period.
Kia are the most popular make of car sold here in Laois in the first six months of the year, followed by Skoda in second and Toyota in the third. The list is an exact replica of the overall figures from 2023.
Nationally, Toyota are the most popular new cars sold, followed by Volkswagon and Skoda.
The Kia Sportage is the most popular model sold in Laois so far this year, followed by the Skoda Octavia, with the Hyundai Tuscon the third most popular.
Nationally, the Tuscon is the top seller, as it was in 2023, followed by the Octavia, and the Sportage in third.
Medium SUVs and small SUVs are the most popular cars both in Laois and in Ireland as a whole.
Medium SUVs represented 31% of all new cars sold nationwide and 36% in Laois; while small SUV’s represented almost 24% nationwide and 25% in Laois
As in 2023, diesel engines remain the top choice here in Laois, followed again by Petrol cars, while Petrol Electric Hybrids have seen a significant surge to replace EVs (Electric Vehicles) in third.
The inverse is true nationally, with Petrol continuing to be the most popular followed by Diesel. Just as it has in Laois, Petrol Electric Hybrids have replaced EVs in third place across Ireland.
So far this year, 10,747 new electric cars have been registered which is a 25% decrease compared to the same period in 2023.
Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General commented: “The decline in the new EV car market continues to highlight the need for Government to support the EV transition, with ways to incentivise the market for both private and company car buyers.
“Extending consumer incentives and Benefit-in-Kind support, along with investment in charging infrastructure will build consumer and business confidence and encourage uptake.
Automatic cars are on course to once again be the most popular new cars sold nationally and in Laois.
There were almost double the number of automatic cars sold than manuals in 2023 and that trend continued in the first half of 2024.
While automatic cars are more popular in Laois, the ratio between them and manual is minimal in the County compared to the national figures.
Laois figures align with national figures when it comes to car colour popularity, with grey cars the most widely sold, followed by black and then blue.
SEE ALSO – In Pictures: Phenomenal achievement as rural Laois primary school receive four national awards
