Modest increase in car sales for July

Despite the nine per cent increase in sales of new cars last month over July 2011, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) warns that the general market remains in line with its ‘full year’ sales forecast of fewer than 80,000 sales.

There were 352 units sold during July, but sales over the first seven months of the year are down 12%, or 10,093 new cars fewer than the 81,158 new sales achieved from January to July 2011.

SIMI director general Alan Nolan says the “modest” increase last month shows that value exists for consumers who are taking advantage of strong offers from the industry.

He reiterated his appeal for the introduction of two distinct registration periods per year, to address the problem of seasonality and “protect jobs and businesses by spreading sales more evenly through the year”.

“It would also benefit car buyers who purchase later in the year by more clearly identifying these cars for valuation purposes," Mr Nolan added.

The best selling brands in July were: Volkswagen, Ford, Toyota, GM (Opel), Hyundai, Renault, Audi, Skoda, Nissan and Kia.