Louth sees huge rise in orange coloured cars

Louth saw a 62% increase in the number of orange cars registered in the first three months of this year, according to figures released today by The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).

SIMI's official 241 new vehicle registrations statistics for March show that 21 new orange cars were registered in Louth so far this year, up from 13 in the first three months of last year, an increase of 61.54%. Grey remains the most popular colour of car in Louth however, with 573 units registered in the first three months of 2024, up 14.6% on the same period last year.

There was a fall in the number of new cars registered in Louth in March, compared to the same period last year. 289 new cars were registered in Louth in March 2024, down from 336 in March 2023, and representing a fall of 14%. Year to date figures however, show that there has been a 10.72% increase in the number of new cars registered in Louth, compared to the same period last year.

The number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered in Louth has also fallen, albeit slightly, this year. 174 EVs were registered in Louth in the first three months of 2024, down almost 5% on the 183 registered during the same period last year. Petrol cars remain the most popular, with a 12.26% rise in the number registered in Louth so far in 2024.

Nationally, new car registrations for March were down 16% (14,936 units) when compared to March 2023 (17,685). Registrations year to date however, are up 8.0% (62,807) on the same period last year (58,151).

Light Commercial vehicles (LCVs) increased by 31.7% (4,410) compared to March last year (3,348). Year to date LCVs are up 34.1% (15,356). HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are up 28.2% (350) in comparison to March 2023 (273). Year to date HGVs are up 15.0% (1,110).

Imported Used Cars have seen an 11.0% (5,216) rise in March 2024, when compared to March 2023 (4,698). Year to date imports are up 24.2% (15,487) on 2023 (12,473).

In March 2,009 new electric cars were registered, which was 41.1% lower than the 3,412 registrations in March 2023. So far this year 7,971 new electric cars have been registered which is a 14.3% decrease compared to the same period in 2023 when 9,297 electric cars were registered.

In the new car market share by engine type for 2024, Petrol cars lead the new car market at 33.37%. followed by Diesel at 23.05%, then Hybrid (Petrol Electric) at 21.33%, Electric at 12.69%, and Plug-in Electric Hybrid at 7.92%. 

Commenting on the latest national figures, Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General said:  “While the new car market started strongly in the first two months of the year, March proved to be much more difficult. New car sales showed a 16% decrease on the same month last year, although sales for the first quarter remain 8% ahead of 2023. Sales of light and heavy commercial vehicles both show growth in registrations for March.

"Sales across all fuel types were behind last year, with the Electric Vehicle segment seeing a notable decline. This highlights the ongoing challenge of transitioning to electrification, as we move into the mainstream car market. The electrification of the fleet requires increased collaboration between all stakeholders to bridge this current chasm in the market.

"For the Industry, this means investment and delivery of EV technology. For Government, this means increased support in terms of extension of current incentives, including purchase grants and Benefit-In -Kind (BIK) relief for companies, and working with private enterprise to upgrade the national charging infrastructure, to boost consumer confidence in making the switch to electric vehicles.”