Toyota tops in Cavan
New '202' reg brings hope for motor industry
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has released the latest batch of official new vehicle statistics. Toyota remain Ireland’s top selling car brand, despite new car registrations for the month of June having declined 28.2% (1,011) when compared to June 2019 (1,408).
Overall new car registrations for the year to date are down 34.5% (52,891) on the same period last year (80,758). The Breffni county fared well compared to the national trend. In Cavan, 627 new cars were registered in the first half of 2020, a drop of 23.7% when compared to the ‘191’ sales period (822).
In Cavan, Toyota has been revealed as the most popular car make in the first half of 2020 - selling 116 units, taking almost 19 per cent of the total market share or accounting for nearly one in every five new cars sold. Nissan came in second place with 74 new cars sold; while Skoda placed third with 68 sales. Ford and Volkswagen were not on their heels with 67 units each sold from January to June, completing the top five line-up for the county.
The Toyota Carolla was the most popular vehicle with 45 '201' models sold in Cavan; the Nissan Qashqai was next with 36 new cars registered; while the Ford Focus was in third position with 25 sales. The Dacia Duster and the Hyundai Tucson each sold 24 new models each from January to June 2020.
The jeep or SUV is still the most popular type of vehicle in Cavan with those purchasing new cars - accounting for 277 of all new cars registered or over 44%. Grey remains the most popular colour (36%).
Diesel is still the most popular fuel type, which is no great surprise in a rural county. It accounted for 324 of all new cars registered or almost 52%. That, however, represents a fall of almost five percentage points on the same period last year.
Incredibly though, despite the lockdown, sales of electric cars nationally over the first six months of 2020 are only down 3.22% compared to the 191 registration period. In the used car market, imports for June (4,264) were down 47.1% on the same month last year (8,060). Across the first six months of the year imports are down 57.1%.
Light Commercials vehicles (LCV) were down 24.1% (568) compared to June last year (748) and year to date are down 30.9% (10,579). HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are down 67.9% (101) in comparison to June 2019 (315). Year to date HGV's are down 32% (1,224).
Commenting on the registration figures Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General said: “Clearly 2020 has been a very difficult year to date, with new car registrations down 34.5% year on year. The new 202-registration period brings some hope for the industry by providing an opportunity to increase sales. Consumers can see already the hugely varied and attractive new car offers. While pre-orders and enquiries are showing some positive signs, the lack of car hire and the ongoing concerns surrounding COVID-19 will see continuing downward pressure on new car demand.
"Going forward, recovery for the sector will be extremely challenging with both new car and commercial vehicle registrations at recession levels. Extension of Government supports beyond the current expiry dates will play an important role across all sectors, while for the Motor Industry changes in VRT that encourage motorists to trade up to a lower emitting car have the potential not only to protect local employment, but can also encourage renewal of the national vehicle fleet, which will play an important role in reducing emissions from transport. VRT reductions could help kick-start the Industry, increase demand and increase the overall tax take.”