New car registrations for June slowed down by 28.2% compared to the same month last year, new figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry show today.
New car sales in June fell to 1,011 compared to 1,408 in June 2019, SIMI said.
SIMI said that new car registrations so far this year are down 34.5% to 52,891 from 80,758 the same time last year as Covid-19 restrictions closed car salesrooms for some months.
Used car imports for June also slumped by 47.1%, while year to date imports are down 57.1% to 22,789 from 53,126 in the first half of 2019.
Meanwhile, sales of light commercials vehicles were down 24.1% in June, while Heavy Goods Vehicle registrations are down 67.9% compared to June 2019.
Car sales have been down every month of the year so far - including January and February - before Covid-19 made an impact.
However the sharpest fall came in April - when dealership closures and restrictions on travel saw just 343 cars being sold.
SIMI noted that the top five selling car brands so far this year were Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Skoda and Ford.
The top five car models this year are Toyota's Corolla, Hyundai's Tucson, Volkswagen's Tiguan, the Ford Focus and the Hyundai Kona.
Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, said that 2020 has been a very difficult year to date, with new car registrations down 34.5% year on year.
Mr Cooke said the new 202-registration period starts today, which brings some hope for the Industry by providing an opportunity to increase sales.
"Consumers can see already the hugely varied and attractive new car offers. While pre-orders and enquiries are showing some positive signs, the lack of car hire and the ongoing concerns surrounding Covid-19 will see continuing downward pressure on new car demand," he stated.
The SIMI Director General cautioned today that recovery for the sector will be extremely challenging with both new car and commercial vehicle registrations at recession levels.
He said that the extension of Government supports beyond the current expiry dates will play an important role across all sectors.
"Changes in VRT that encourage motorists to trade up to a lower emitting car have the potential not only to protect local employment, but can also encourage renewal of the national vehicle fleet, which will play an important role in reducing emissions from transport. VRT reductions could help kick-start the industry, increase demand and increase the overall tax take," he added.
