There were 71 new cars sold in Laois during May, up a remarkable 69% from the 42 sold in the same month of 2024 according to figures released by the Society for the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
Those 71 cars, however, represents a 32% drop from April where there were 108 new cars sold in the county. This follows the year-on-year trend, it must be said, where the figures have fallen drastically from April to May.
Percentage-wise, however, May’s 69% increase on the 2024 equivalent is the largest percentage increase seen so far in 2025 – a year that has now seen five consecutive months of year-on-year increase.
Laois has been outperforming the nationwide figures since February but the comparison in May was particularly striking, with the 69% increase on Laois in total contrast to the 9% decrease seen nationally.
There were 5,827 new cars sold across the country in the fifth month of 2025 compared to the 6,398 sold last May, however, year-to-date sales remain 2% ahead of 2024.
The resurgence of diesel cars in Laois continues as they were the top-selling cars in May with a 160% increase on 2024. Nationally, petrol cars were the most popular, but their sales were over 32% down on this month last year.
That follows the continued progress seen with sales of new Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrids. EV’s are are coming off the back of a record-breaking period and their sales increases continued to rise in May.
In Laois, EV sales were up over 83% in May and up 5% nationwide, while new sales of Petrol Electric Hybrids were up 71% in Laois with Diesel Electric Hybrids up 42.5% nationwide.
Petrol/Plug-In Electric Hybrids had the highest percentage increase in Laois during April, up almost 267% on the 2024 figure, and the figures continued that massive rise in May with a 300% year-on-year increase.
They continue to rise nationwide as well, with the 26% rise in April doubled with a 52% increase in May.
Petrol/Plug-In Electric Hybrids have seen the greatest increase in 2025 so far, up 93% in Laois and up 53% nationwide.
The first five months of the year has seen a nationwide drop in the popularity of petrol and diesel cars, with petrol down 13.5% so far in 2025 and diesel down by as much as 23%.
SIMI Director General Brian Cooke said: “For the fifth consecutive month, new electric vehicle sales have increased, with EV registrations 5% ahead of May last year, with over 12,300 new electric cars sold so far this year, representing a 23% increase on last year.
“Private consumers continue to account for the majority of EV sales. While we are now on schedule to reach the interim Climate Action Plan target of 175,000 electric cars (EV & PHEV) by the end of this year, as highlighted by the EPA recently, we need to do more to accelerate the growth in EV sales between now and the end of the decade.
“In this context, Government initiatives and supports will be vital. The Commercial vehicle sector experienced a decline in May, with the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) market down nearly 2% in May and 9% year to date.
“Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations are down 22% in May and 10% year to date. Overall commercial vehicle sales are a concern, reflecting the uncertain business environment at present, with many companies deferring investment decisions.”
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