2009 car sales plummet by 63% on last year’s figures – record low

Latest car registration statistics from the Motorcheck.ie Vehicle Index also show continued popularity of second hand imports over new car purchases.

Data released today by the Motorcheck.ie Vehicle Index shows that new car sales in Ireland have dropped by 63% since the beginning of 2009 while imports from abroad have only dropped 24%. The Index shows that nationwide sales of new cars have seen a sustained month on month decline for every single county. Counties with the greatest declines were Meath, Limerick and Wicklow at 67% while counties with the lowest decline were Donegal at 57%, Kerry at 60% and Cork at 61%.

Commenting on the results, Teskey added “The nationwide statistics demonstrate that Irish people are being much more cautious with their spending habits this year, preferring to either wait for better deals from the manufacturers or spending more time researching and buying second hand”

At the same time as new car sales have dropped the number of people opting for a UK import has declined at a much lower rate (24%). Border counties such as Monaghan and Sligo have remained steady with drops of only 2% and 6% respectively. The biggest importers have been Dublin (9,509), Cork (4,358) and Donegal (4,214) while the most popular type of car has been a Volkswagen with its Passat topping the table at 3,338 registrations.

“Whilst the overall number of imports has dropped this year, it’s clear that the Irish are still prepared to travel north of the border or further afield in search of a bargain” Teskey said. “With 10,000 jobs already lost in the sector, all hopes are resting on the proposed government scrappage scheme in a last ditch attempt to save 10,000 more that are hanging on by a thread”.

The number of new Motorcycles registered has also fallen 47% with sales dropping from 3,060 in 2008 to 1,638 for the same period.
About the Motorcheck.ie Car Index
The Motorcheck.ie Car Index is a database of real-time car statistics and reports. The index is  available on the Motorcheck.ie website to anyone. They can be accessed at: http://www.motorcheck.ie/blog/stats

On the 18 Sept. 2009 Renault Ireland launches the new National Scrappage Scheme to “JUMPSTART” Irish car industry.

Renault Ireland today announced the launch of a national scrappage scheme for the Irish market. Irish motorists can cash in on a €1,500 scrappage scheme which is redeemable on the purchase of any new Renault car and light commercial vehicles when you scrap your car with any Renault dealer nationwide. The scheme is for motor vehicles of all makes and models that are over eight years old. The offer comes in addition to a trade-in allowance also in place across the Renault range.

Renault has successfully implemented similar schemes in other European countries with both consumers and the local car industry benefiting from the scheme. While the Irish Government stalls on introducing a much needed scrappage scheme, Renault and its Network have seized the initiative to meet the needs of Irish motorists.

Commenting on the announcement, Eric Basset, Managing Director, Renault Ireland, said, “The Irish car industry is struggling in the current economic climate due to diminished consumer purchase power and the lack of available credit. We have successfully run similar schemes in other European countries and Renault and its Network are delighted to be spearheading a scrappage scheme for Irish motorists.”

For those looking for quality, safety and ecology, this is the best opportunity to buy a new car at the best prices. Full details of the Renault Ireland’s national scrappage scheme can be found on www.irishscrappage.ie or www.renault.ie

At last the Government has followed Renault’s lead which means you can avail the Government scrappage scheme and Renault scrappage scheme.

With Renault scrappage scheme you can get 1500.00 EUR allowance on any car aged 8 year or older as well as up to 3100.00EUR trade-in allowance on any models from any brand.

With the Government Scrappage Scheme, you can save up to a further 1500.00EUR on top of the Renault Scrapage Scheme if the car is 10 years or older

If you would like to find out more, why don’t you visit Renault website -> Here

Sections of ten national roads will today be designated as new motorways.

The Department of Transport made the changes following a recommendation from the National Roads Authority.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said: ‘The purpose of this move is to enhance and protect the national motorway network.’

The speed limits on these roads will be increased from 100 to 120km/ph, which will mean that learner drivers, certain types of agricultural vehicles and motorbikes will be banned.

Motorway status will be applied to 294km of national roads.

The sections reclassified include the N2 between Kilshane and Ashbourne, the N4 between Kinnegad and McNead’s Bridge and the N6 between Athlone and Galway.

Parts of the N3, N8, N9, N11, N18 and N20 are also covered, along with the Limerick Southern Ring Road.

Some of the roads involved are still under construction.

Conor Faughnan of AA Roadwatch says the change is a good thing and that it will make the roads safer as certain classes of vehicle cannot go on them.

At least 60 jobs have been lost after the closure of a car dealership in the midlands.

Management at Peter Casey and Sons made an application to the court yesterday for the appointment of a receiver after going into voluntary liquidation.

Workers learned of the liquidation late last night.

The firm has garages in Roscommon town, Athlone and Carrick-on-Shannon.

Dozens of cars have been removed on transporters from the three garages this morning.

Casey and Sons is one of the best known and most successful Ford dealerships in the country.

The firm was set up in 1925 and also sold Kia, Volvo and Honda cars.

Toyota Ireland has confirmed that the Tom Hogan car dealership, which had outlets in Galway Clare and Tipperary, is to close because of trading difficulties, with the loss of 190 jobs.

Tom Hogan Motors was one of the biggest Toyota dealerships in the country.
It began in Ennis over 30 years ago but had expanded with outlets at Ballybrit in Galway, Shannon and Clonmel.

But trading difficulties brought about by the economic downturn, which has particularly affected car sales, has now forced the company into liquidation.

Toyota Ireland managing director David Shannon said this afternoon that it was sad to see a company of the calibre of the Tom Hogan group being forced into liquidation as a result of the extraordinarily difficult economic climate. But he reassured customers that any cars purchased through the group would continue to carry their full warranty.

Fine Gael TD for Clare Joe Carey said it was a worrying indication of the problems facing the Irish motor industry, which could be threatened with the loss of 5,000 jobs this year. He called on the Department of Finance to consider introducing options like a car scrappage scheme, which would lessen the impact of the global recession on this market.

Figures released earlier this month from the CSO said that a total of 4,480 new cars were licensed in May 2009, down 60.2% compared with the same time last year. Car sales had also slowed by 68% in April.

Taken from “Southside People” newspaper - Vol. 14 No. 19 Dated: 20 May 2009

Dublin City councillors voted to introduce a car ban in a part of the city centre last week, despite opposition from business groups.
Councillors voted 15 to 12 in favour of the peak-time prohibition around College Green from Mondays to Fridays.
The Dublin City Business Association warned that up to 2500 jobs and €200 million in revenue could be lost if plans for severe car restrictions were given the green light.
The Dublin City Chamber of Commerce also argued that premature introduction of a bus gate at College Green would lead to firm closures, job losses an lower commercial revenue for the city.
The chamber had asked for the proposal to be put on hold until several traffic mitigation measures were put in place alongside key improvements in public transport services.


Despite all the requests made, the Dublin City car ban goes ahead.
In times like this, the car ban doesn’t seem to be the best idea at all.