There were 108 new cars sold in Laois during April, up almost 15% from the 94 sold in the same month of 2024 according to figures released by the Society for the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
Following marginal growth in new care sales in the county during the first two months of the year, March saw a huge jump of close to 40%, with the April increase of 15% continuing the positive trends in the industry here in Laois during 2025.
The 15% increase in Laois is also well ahead of the 1.9% April increase seen nationwide, where new car registrations (8,720) were only marginally up from the fourth month of 2024 (8,565).
As in Laois, the nationwide figure in March was remarkably higher than the recent average, however, the fall-off from a rise of 18% in March to just one tenth of that one month later is worth keeping an eye on.
SIMI Director General Brian Cooke addressed the unimpressive figures, calling the nationwide increase of 1.9% a “marginal rise,” and noted that “year-to-date registrations increased by 3.4% on last year, with a total of 73,505 new cars registered”.
On a more positive note, however, Electric Vehicle (EV) sales are in the midst of a record-breaking period, with their astounding sales increases continuing in April.
Diesel and petrol cars remain the most popular engine types both in Laois and nationwide, however, their figures are largely stagnant from April, 2024.
EVs and election derivatives, however, have all experienced another month of substantial growth.
In Laois, EV sales were up almost 13.5% in April and up 23% nationwide.
New sales of Petrol Electric Hybrids were up 11% in Laois and up 20% nationwide, while Diesel Electric Hybrid sales were up over 45% nationwide, although not a single one of the 138 cars sold were in Laois.
Petrol/Plug-In Electric Hybrids had the highest percentage increase in Laois during April, up almost 267% on the 2024 figure, while the nationwide increase was close to 26%.
SIMI Director General Brian Cooke also spoke directly about the continued rise in EVs saying: “New electric vehicle sales have rebounded this year, experiencing a fourth consecutive month of growth.
“EV registrations are 23.7% ahead of April last year, and year to date increased by 25.5%, representing 11,311 new electric cars.
“EV sales have increased in 25 counties during the first four months of the year and SIMI welcomes Minister O’Brien’s announcement on the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan. Such initiatives are vital to provide rural drivers with more confidence in EVs.
“The Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) market saw an improvement in April with a 15% increase in sales, a positive result following the decline in sales in the first quarter of the year.
“LCVs remain 9% behind for the year to date. Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations are down 14.6% in April and 8% year to date.”
