New figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry show that new car registrations fell in February, but new electric car registrations increased.
Today's SIMI figures reveal that new car registrations for February were down 15% to 14,012 compared to February 2024's figure of 16,432. SIMI noted that February last year had an extra day of trading.
Registrations so far this year are also down 0.8% to 47,483 from 47,850 the same time last year.
But SIMI said that new electric cars registrations jumped by 36% to 2,524 in February from 1,856 during the same month last year.
So far this year, 7,447 new electric cars have been registered - a 25.1% increase compared to the same time in 2024 when 5,949 electric cars were registered.
Meanwhile, imported used cars saw a 13.2% rise in February to reach 5,599 compared to 4,946 the same time last year. So far this year imports are up 9.1% to 11,203 on 2024's 10,271.
SIMI noted that petrol cars continue to lead the new car market at 27.88%, followed by hybrid (petrol electric) at 23.76%, diesel at 16.65%, electric at 15.68%, and plug-in electric hybrid at 14.3%.
Today's figures show that the five top selling new car brands in February were Toyota, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Skoda and Kia.
The five top new car models were the Hyundai Tucson, the Toyota Yaris Cross, the Toyota Rav 4, the Skoda Octavia and the Kia Sportage.
Meanwhile, the top selling new car in Febriary was the Hyundai Tucson, while the top selling new electric car was the Tesla Model 3.
Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, said that after a strong start in January, new car registrations have seen some retraction in February, with registrations declining by 15%, while year to date registrations are now marginally behind last year.
"However, going against this trend has been electric vehicles, with an increase in EV sales of 36% in February to 2,524 units, with private consumers, who benefit from the SEAI Grant, contributing two thirds of EV sales this year," Mr Cooke said.
"The importance of Government supports is key to maintaining this momentum, particularly with a greater range of EVs coming on stream. Commercial vehicle registrations have seen a decline, with LCV sales, which had been down in January, also down by 8% in February, and HGVs registrations down 3%," he added.
