There were a total of 323 new car sales in Laois in January, 14% lower than what they were a year ago and over 30% lower than 2020 before the pandemic hit.
Nationally, new car sales are similar to what they were in 2021 but the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) stats show that sales “are still 22% behind pre-pandemic levels (2019)”.
This is attributed “largely due to supply chain issues arising from various lock-downs”.
“With retailers reporting strong order banks and with expected improvements in supply as the year progresses, this should lead to both an improving new car market and a more even spread of sales in 2022,” says Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General.
“Also the trade-ins against January new car sales will have increased supply of used car stock, which means greater variety and volume for interested used car buyers in the weeks ahead.”
Nationally and locally electric car sales continue to grow considerably. There were 2,714 electric vehicles (EVs) sold in January 2021, almost triple that of 2020.
In Laois there were 28 registered electric sales in the month, compared to 13 in the same month last year.
“The 2,714 new Electric Vehicles (EVs) on the road in January equate to EV sales for the whole of Quarter 1 last year,” added Cooke.
“The increasing appetite for electric, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid vehicles has seen cars with battery technology accounting for over 46% of new car sales during the month.
“It is anticipated that the strong growth in EV sales will continue for the rest of 2022. In this environment it is essential that Government supports the expansion of a national charging infrastructure to keep pace with this demand for EVs.”
SEE ALSO – Laois car sales recover somewhat in 2021 though still below pre-Covid levels
