Hire car sales have fallen 16.62 per cent for the year to the end of July, despite a late surge during the month, writes Michael McAleer
At total of 16,591 cars were registered for hire purposes to the end of July, compared with 19,898 for the same period last year. So far this year car hire sales have represented 13.26 per cent of overall sales, down from 15.06 per cent for the same period last year.
However car hire figures for July were up 18.79 per cent on the same month last year, with 3,022 registered.
Ford topped the list so far this year with 2,400 cars registered for hire purposes, followed by Opel with 2,361 and Nissan with 2,080.
Car sales for July were up 6.21 per cent on the same month last year thanks to a late surge in the final 10 days. A total of 13,246 new cars were registered during the month, up 775 on last year.
Sales for the year to the end of July were 125,122, down 5.31 per cent on the same period last year.
According to Cyril McHugh, chief executive of the Society of the Motor Industry (SIMI) the figures are perhaps a sign that consumer confidence in the economy is increasing. "We now expect to see a new car market of 146,000 for the full year," he says.
A drop in light commercial vehicle sales of 25 per cent in July reflects an increase in this category of 88 per cent in June as customers rushed to buy Crew Cabs. The Vehicle Registration Tax on these vehicles was increased on July 1st.
In terms of overall sales,Ford still holds the lead in market share, with 12.48 per cent, followed by Toyota with 11.39 per cent and Nissan with 10.11 per cent.
Both Ford and Nissan performed well in the final days of the month, recording 1,137 sales for the final 10 days, bringing its monthly total to 1,705.
According to Paul O'Sullivan, Nissan's marketing manager, this rise is partly due to a dealer incentive programme, which ended last month, aimed at maintaining a 10 per cent market share for the marque.