May new car registrations down 8.8pc, EVs up 5.3pc
New car registrations for May were down 8.8 per cent (5,832) when compared to May 2024 (6,398). Registrations year to date are up 2.4 per cent (79,301) on the same period last year (77,461), according to the latest figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
In May, 1,092 new electric cars were registered, which was 5.3 per cent higher than the 1,037 registrations in May 2024. So far this year, 12,392 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 23.3 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024 when 10,052 electric cars were registered.
In the new car market share by engine type for 2025, petrol cars remain the new car market leader at 27.60 per cent, followed by hybrid (petrol electric) at 23.09 per cent, diesel at 17.42 per cent, electric at 15.63 per cent, and plug-in electric hybrid at 14.64 per cent.
Imported used cars have seen a 7.9 per cent (5,949) rise in May 2025, when compared to May 2024 (5,513). Year to date imports are up 7.5 per cent (28,184) on 2024 (26,206).
2025 total new vehicle stats:
Top selling car brands:
1. Toyota; 2. Volkswagen; 3. Hyundai; 4. Skoda; 5. Kia
Top car models:
1. Hyundai Tucson; 2. Toyota RAV4; 3. Toyota Yaris Cross; 4. Kia Sportage; 5. Skoda Octavia.
Top 5 selling EV brands:
1.Volkswagen; 2. Kia; 3. Hyundai; 4. Tesla; 5. BYD.
Top 5 selling EVs:
1. VW ID.4; 2. Kia EV3; 3. Tesla Model 3; 4. Kia EV6; 5. Hyundai Kona.
Top 5 selling van brands:
1. Ford; 2. Renault; 3. Volkswagen; 4. Toyota; 5. Opel.
Top selling car (May):
VW Tiguan
Top selling EV (May):
Hyundai Inster
Top selling van (May):
Ford Transit Custom
Elsewhere, light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales decreased by 1.6 per cent (1,913) compared to May last year (1,944). Year to date LCVs are down 8.8 per cent (17,795).
HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations fell by 21.6 per cent (207) in comparison to May 2024 (264). Year to date HGVs are down 10.3 per cent (1,521).