New car sales continued to plateau in Laois during November, with the number stagnant from the same month in 2023 according to figures released by the Society for the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
Just eight new cars were sold in the penultimate month of 2024, the same number as were sold in November of last year.
It brings the total number of new cars sold in Laois so far this year to 1,422 – an increase of 4.5% increase on the first 11 months of 2023.
Sales figures were also stagnant in September and up less than 4% in October as the autumnal trend continues locally.
Nationally, however, new car sales finally increased from the 2023 figure, with 1,120 cars sold, up 21.6% from the 921 sold in November last year.
This follows a 9.6% increase in October as the industry appears to have turned a corner following a seventh-month yearly decline from March to September.
Kia remains the most popular new cars in Laois, with 206 sold so far in 2024, followed by Skoda, Toyota, Volkswagon and Hyundai.
The most popular cars sold here in November were, remarkably, Tesla, with three cars sold – bringing the total number of new Teslas sold in this year to 29.
Tesla were also the most popular car nationally in November, with their 233 sales representing almost 21% of all new cars sold in Ireland last month.
Following that trend, Electric Vehicles (EVs) were the most popular new sales in Laois during November, up 400% on the eleventh month of last year.
EVs represented 62.5% of all new cars sold in Laois last month, and were also the most popular new cars sold nationwide, with 513 sales across Ireland, up over 58% on November 2023.
SIMI Director General Brian Cooke said the new electric car market “saw some improvement in November… However, year to date EV registrations are 24% lower than 2023.
“Hopefully, we are starting to turn a corner for Electric Vehicles following a very challenging year. With this in mind, the new Programme for Government must include increased support for the EV project, strong investment in incentives and in the charging infrastructure.
“As we approach the final few weeks of 2024, the Industry’s focus is now firmly on its key selling period at the start of 2025 with generous incentives for customers to buy new cars across all brands and all market segments, members are hopeful for the busy start to 2025.”
