Irish Auto Sales 2016 kept the momentum with over 100.000 units for the 2nd year in a row, fueled by the economic fast growing. The new Hyundai Tucson recorded a stunning triumph.
Market Outlook
The encouraging quarterly data was once again largely driven by the financial activities of multinational corporations in the country. The Brexit negotiations and the implications it could have on trade and migration will have a large impact on Ireland. FocusEconomics panelists foresee GDP growing 3.3% in 2017, which is up 0.1 percentage points from last month’s forecast. In 2018, the panel expects GDP to decelerate to 3.2%.
As regard the domestic cars sales, the market continued to gain ground, posting in the 2016 the third double-digit increase in a row. It was the best sales level recorded since 2009, keeping the momentum with over 100.000 units for the second consecutive year.
According to data released by the S.I.M.I. the Society of Irish Car Manufacturers, the car passengers sales in December had been only 430 (+25.0%), showing the lowest sales volume of the year. Full Year sales were 146.177 units (+17.5%).
Meantime, the light commercial vehicles hit the fourth growth in a string with 27.457 units (+15.7%).
Competitive Arena
Toyota was the brand leader with 15.530 units (+18.5%) ahead of Hyundai with 15.442 (+34.5%), which defeated for few sales Volkswagen with 15.411 (+0.2%).
Hyundai is neck-and-neck with Toyota at the moment, and both companies are practically switching position at the top of the table on a daily basis.
Among the highest growths of the year were reported for Mercedes, Suzuki, Renault, Mazda, Volvo, Kia and Ford, while the best performer was Land Rover (+50.6%).
The worst performance was recorded by Citroen (-23.1%) followed by Porsche, Jeep and Subaru.
The Hyundai Tucson led the competition with 7.425 units, while the Volkswagen Golf was 2nd with 5.143 (-6.9%) ahead of the Ford Focus with 4.835 (+13.8%).
According to SundayWorld, the new Hyundai Tucson, which dominated the Irish sales charts in 2016, has reverted to its former name because the Yanks didn’t like ix35. Indeed, in all Europe ix35 name was abandoned this year.
Tables with sales figures
In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group and top 10 Models
