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Car sales are continuing to slow, part of a trend seen since the end of this summer, as we approach Christmas and the arrival of the 171 number plate. According to the Society of the Irish Car Industry (SIMI) the figures show that November sales were down by 20 per cent on the same month last year, albeit those were both on the basis of relatively small numbers overall. 940 new cars were sold or registered in November 2015, compared to 748 this year but the total sales for the year remain bouyant at 146,175 - 17 per cent higher than the 124,460 cars sold or registered by the same time last year.
The figures also show a titanic battle between Hyundai and Volkswagen for the top-selling brand spot. There are currently a mere 36 sales between the two brands, an 0.3 per cent in market share terms. Hyundai insiders are saying that they're happy with their position even if Volkswagen eventually pips them for the top spot by the end of December, however, as the brand has had unprecedented success with its Tucson SUV this year, which is still the best-selling vehicle overall and which has a lead over the Volkswagen Golf which is unlikely to be narrowed.
In other figures, vans and light commercials were up slightly in November (eight per cent) and up 19 per cent for the year overall, while HGVs are up 33 per cent for the year, but nine per cent down in November.
Alan Nolan, Director General, SIMI: "2016 has seen the highest levels in new vehicle registrations since 2008, even with the challenges of Brexit in mid-year and the slowing down in the last couple of months. Overall it has been a good year for our Industry and all indications look that registration numbers are on track to deliver in the region of 147,000 this year as predicted. As the Industry looks forward to next year and the key January sales period the outlook remains strong for another good year in 2017. Jim Power Economist and author of the SIMI/DoneDeal Quarter 3 Review has commented that while the outlook for the economy is a bit more uncertain in the wake of Brexit, looking ahead to 2017 new car sales should have a similar outturn to 2016."
While many other are indeed predicting that 2017's sales will be around the same as those seen this year, CompleteCar has learned that at least one major car brand, which asked not to be named, is making preparations for the market to actually dip by between ten and 15 per cent overall next year, as concerns over Brexit, Trump and the housing market here in Ireland take hold.