Irish New Car Market Sees Slight Dip in 2024
Despite a slight decrease in overall sales, the Irish new car market remained active in 2024, with petrol continuing to dominate and alternative fuel vehicles gaining ground. According to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), 121,195 new cars were registered in 2024, representing a 1% dip compared to 2023.
Fuel Type Trends
Petrol held onto its position as the most popular engine type, accounting for 30% of the market share. However, electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles collectively captured over 45% of sales, demonstrating a growing consumer preference for cleaner options.
- Petrol – 30%
- Diesel – 23%
- Hybrid – 21%
- Electric – 14%
- Plug-in Hybrid – 10%
Transmission Shift
Automatic transmissions continued their upward trajectory, claiming 66% of the market share, while manual transmissions saw a decline to 33.80%. This shift reflects the increasing popularity of automatic vehicles among Irish drivers.
Body Style and Color Preferences
Hatchbacks remained the top-selling car body type in 2024, solidifying their position as a favorite among Irish consumers. Grey continued its reign as the most popular car color, marking its ninth consecutive year as the top choice.
Commercial Vehicle Growth
Commercial vehicle sales provided a positive outlook for the Irish economy, with Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) registering a 7% increase compared to 2023, and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) experiencing an 8% rise.
EV Sales Dip, Future Outlook
Despite the overall market dip, SIMI noted a 24% decrease in electric vehicle sales compared to 2023. However, there are signs of a potential turnaround towards the end of 2024, with industry experts anticipating an increase in EV sales in 2025.
Optimism for 2025
“The start of the new registration period, 251, this week, is an optimistic time for the Irish Motor Industry. With the variety of incentives and offers from retailers and manufacturers it is a good time for customers to shop for a new or used car,” said SIMI representative.
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