Another drop in car sales in Kildare in November reflects a tough year for motor industry

Car sales were down by 12% in Kildare this November in comparison to the same month last year, as new registrations continue to fall across the country.

In what has been a difficult few months for the car sales industry that has seen buyers increasingly going to the north and the UK to purchase vehicles, the sales figures in Kildare have dropped by a larger proportion than the national average.

There were 5,274 new cars registered in Kildare last month in comparison to 6,038 for November 2016.

Official statistics released today by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that new car registrations for the month of November were down -9% (687) when compared to (754) November 2016, with new cars registrations year to date down -10% (131,200) on the same period last year (146,215).

Registrations in the new Commercial vehicle sector seen a decrease in the Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) sector with registrations down -12% (580) on November 2016 (656) and year to date are down -14% (23,952). New Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HGV) have increased +83% for the month of November (130) compared to the same month last year (71) however are also down -13% (2,478) year to date.

Used Imports continue to remain ahead with registrations for the month of November up 8% (7,952) while year to date they are 32% (87,929) ahead of 2016 (66,463).

Commenting on the figures SIMI Director General, Alan Nolan stated “As we approach the final few weeks of 2017, total registrations look set to finish in line with Economist Jim Power’s projection of 131,650 representing a decline of 10% on 2016. This has been a year of uncertainty for the Industry, as we experience the Brexit impact. Sterling weakness is contributing to increases in used vehicle imports which continue to influence used car values making Irish used cars cheaper but increasing the cost to change for car buyers which has impacted on new car volumes.