There were just four new cars sold in Laois in the month of April, according to figures released by the Irish Motor Industry today.
This compares to 112 cars sold in April of 2019 – and is in line with the 96% decrease across the country as the effect of the Coronavirus and the restrictions shows in the most devastating manner.
Restrictions were announced in mid March, leading to the March figures being down almost 55% in Laois on 2019 – with 75 cars sold compared to 165 12 months ago.
And the figures fell even further across the month of April.
Across the first four months of the year, there have been 707 cars sold in Laois, compared to 900 in the same period in 2019.
Nationally there were just 344 cars sold, compared to 8,904 in April 2019.
As a result of COVID-19 retailer’s showrooms have remained closed since Mid-March, impacting heavily on sales.
Registrations year to date are down 30.7% (50,626) on the same period last year (73,030).
Used car imports for April (199) seen a decrease of 97.8% on April 2019 (8,887). While year to date imports are down 50.5% (17,669) on 2019 (35,719).
“Like many other sectors of the economy, COVID-19 is having a devastating impact on the Irish Motor Industry,” said Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General.
“SIMI Members have during the course of the lockdown to date, been available to assist in emergency and essential call outs. We continue to play our part in keeping vital goods and services moving.
“However, the registration numbers underline the lack of activity in new vehicle sales, and this is replicated for used cars and servicing.
“While the short-term outlook for the Irish economy is bleak, once the health situation allows the Motor Industry is ready to get back to work.
“Members have used this downtime to implement measures, in accordance with both Industry and State guidelines, that will protect both their employees and customers against the spread of COVID-19.
“The size of dealerships and the average footfall, for both sales and servicing, lends itself to social distancing. While santisation measures being put in place for both premises and vehicles, means that safety and protection are at the top of the agenda.
“With the July registration period approaching, the Motor Industry will be well placed to help start activity in the Irish economy.
“This has the potential to protect the nearly 50,000 people in employment in the sector, increasing Government Revenues, improving the safety of the cars on Irish roads, while also improving Ireland’s environmental performance by replacing old cars with new or newer cars.
“In this context, continuation of the current supports and cash flow benefits from Revenue will be important, while additional measures such as the cancelling of rates bills, and reductions in VAT and VRT would be very helpful as would the immediate re-opening of NCT and commercial vehicle test centres.”
All the counties bordering Laois suffered a similar sharp decline – with just three sales in Carlow, four in Offaly, six in Kilkenny, 12 in Kildare and 14 in Tipperary.
SEE ALSO – Car sales plummet nationally in March as Laois figures down over 50% on 2019
