There were 474 new cars sold in Laois during the first month of the year, up almost 4% from the 457 sold in January 2024 according to figures released by the Society for the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
While the car industry will welcome the 4% rise, it pales in comparison to the increase seen in January 2024, which saw a rise of over 34% here in Laois.
Overall, there were 1,428 new cars sold in Laois during 2024, up almost 5% from 2023.
The last four months of 2024 saw the new car market slow down to a snail’s pace, with minimal year-on-year growth.
Nationally, new car registrations for January (33,521) were up almost 7% on the January 2024 figure (31,407).
Like Laois, while the figure is an increase, the nationwide is a fraction of the increase seen in January 2024 where new car sales increased almost 15% on the first month of 2023.
The 2024 new car market experienced a seven-month-long decline in year-on-year figures across Ireland which lasted from March to September.
The market picked up again in October and the upward trajectory continued through the end of the year and into January 2025.
Light Commercial vehicles are down 16% nationally compared to January last year, while HGV registrations are showing an increase of 8% compared to 12 months ago as Imported Used Cars were up 5%.
Kia, Toyota and Skoda were the most popular cars sold in Laois during 2024 and continued to be the most popular makes sold this January.
Nationally, Toyota, Hyundai and Volkswagen were the most popular cars sold during 2024, with Skoda replacing Hyundai as one of the three most popular makes sold in January.
Electric Vehicle (EV) sales experienced a record-breaking month in January of 2025 with the highest nationwide sales recorded to date (4,925), representing a 20% increase compared to last January.
In Laois, Petrol Electric Hybrid sales were up almost 52% on January 2024, while EVs were up almost 21% and Petrol/Plug-In Electric Hybrids up 76%.
Petrol cars were the most popular choice in Laois during the first month of the year, although sales are down over 11% on the 2024 figure.
Petrol cars were also the most popular choice nationwide, with sales also showing a slight decline of less than 3% compared to last January.
SIMI Director General Brian Cooke said: “Battery technology cars (BEV, PHEV, HEV) all saw significant growth, with their combined market share exceeding over half (55%) of the market.
“In particular, Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) sales surged in January, with 4,925 registrations, up 20% on the same period last year, the highest monthly total number of EVs sold, although their overall market share of 15% has yet to reach 2023 levels (19%).
“The underlying EV market continues to be dependent heavily on private sales which benefit from SEAI grant support, highlighting the importance of ongoing Government incentives to help stimulate the market.
“However, while there is cautious optimism over the trajectory of EV sales, one good month of sales does not necessarily define the whole year, and we still have a long way to go in the transition to electrification.
“The supply of EVs is there, with more newer EV models coming on stream across a range of price-points, so the focus must be clearly on supporting demand in what is still a relatively new market.”
