New car sales plateaued in Laois during September, with the figure stagnant from the same month in 2023 according to figures released by the Society for the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
58 new cars were sold in the ninth month of 2024, just as there were last year.
Sales figures were down 10% in August, so the industry in Laois will be pleased to see that trend not continue.
Nationally, however, new car sales are continuing to decline, with the 5,131 sales down over 10% from September 2023.
It is the seventh month in a row to show a national decline, a trend that has not been seen for over half a decade.
Diesel cars remain the most popular choice in Laois, with a massive 86% rise on the 2023 figure for September.
All other engine types saw a major decline. Petrol remain the favourite nationwide, however, the figure is down over 20% on 2023.
Petrol Electric Hybrids are continuing to grow in popularity, overtaking diesel as the second-most popular choice in Ireland, up 37% from September 2023.
Electric Vehicles (EVs) dropped by 30% from 12 months ago – the eighth consecutive monthly decline – as the market continues to shun these cars.
SIMI Director General Brian Cooke has been calling for Government intervention in relation to EVs and spoke following the announcement of Budget 2025.
“Budget 2025 includes a number of incentives in relation to Electric Vehicles,” Mr Cooke said.
“A new Benefit-In-Kind (BIK) concession on home charger installations; the change of the definition for light commercial electric vehicles that will allow more vans avail of the lower €200 VRT rate; the previously announced extension of the SEAI purchase grants; and the extension of the €10,000 threshold on BIK for cars for 2025 (€45,000 tax free BIK on EVs).
“While we welcome these measures, the Motor Industry is disappointed that the BIK relief has not been extended beyond 2025, to encourage more company car purchasers to choose an EV, which in turn would accelerate the creation of an active used EV market.”
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