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Irish Examiner
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Electric cars top Irish sales in June as Tesla Model 3 leads booming EV market
Over half of the new cars registered during the traditionally slow month of June were electric, as the total number of new cars sold rose by 63.5%, according to new data from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI). June was the last month for the 251 licence plate, and as a result, many customers held off on purchases until July, when the 252 plates were issued. According to the data, 2,441 new cars were registered last month — up from 1,493 in June of last year. In July 2024, 25,726 new cars were registered. Last month, 1,246 new electric cars were registered, representing an 81.9% year-on-year increase. The top-selling car in June was an electric vehicle, the Tesla Model 3. Tesla sales have been falling across Europe for months due to backlash against the company's CEO, Elon Musk. However, there are some tentative signs that this trend may be reversing. Tesla sales rose in Norway and Spain during June, an early indication that buyers are responding to the revamped Model Y. However, sales declined for the sixth consecutive month in Sweden and Denmark, highlighting the ongoing challenges the company faces. In Ireland, 1,054 new light commercial vehicles were registered, up 54.1%, while registrations of heavy goods vehicles increased by 3.2% to 128. Director-general of SIMI Brian Cooke: 'Electric vehicles represent nearly 17% of new cars sold this year. While this is clearly a positive development, it should be highlighted that EV sales are behind 2023 levels, and extension of Government support is still vital in the establishment of the electric vehicle market.' Registrations of imported used cars rose by 10.6% to 5,713 during the month. In the first half of the year, year-to-date new car registrations rose by 3.5% to 81,750, compared to the same period in 2024. So far this year, 13,631 new electric cars have been registered, a 27% increase. SIMI Director General Brian Cooke said the 'most notable statistic' for the first half of the year had been the consistent growth in battery electric vehicle sales. 'Electric vehicles represent nearly 17% of new cars sold this year. While this is clearly a positive development, it should be highlighted that EV sales are behind 2023 levels, and extension of Government support is still vital in the establishment of the electric vehicle market.' So far this year, petrol cars made up 27.23% of all cars sold, while petrol-hybrid cars accounted for 22.77%. Diesel cars made up 17.26% of the market, with electric, plug-in electric, and electric hybrids comprising the remainder. Toyota is the top-selling car brand so far in 2025, followed by Volkswagen and Hyundai. The top-selling car model is the Hyundai Tucson, followed by the Toyota RAV4 and the Toyota Yaris Cross. The top-selling electric car this year is the Volkswagen ID.4, followed by the Tesla Model 3 and the Kia EV3. Additional reporting Reuters Read More Inbound tourism drops 10% in May as persistent decline continues
Telegraph
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
What is the best small car to replace a Jaguar?
Dear Alex, My Jaguar XE is comfortable to drive but not so easy to park. At 87 I don't need the power as I no longer do lengthy journeys. I would like a petrol alternative with a decent-sized boot that's cheaper to run and insure, as well as easier to park, than the Jaguar. A Honda Jazz has been suggested; what else is worth considering? – DB Dear DB, The Jazz is a great option; compact, comfortable and versatile. While it will undoubtedly be a step down in power compared with your XE, it's nippy enough to feel sprightly around town. The Honda also has a solid reputation for reliability – but could you do better? Well, look at the Toyota Yaris Cross. Toyota's reliability record is even better than that of Honda, while you can get up to 10 years of warranty if you use a main dealer for servicing. The Yaris Cross has a larger boot than the Jazz despite being barely any longer; the only downside is that its ride quality can sometimes feel rather firm. If that's a concern, consider the new Citroën C3. The latest model is available with the option of a hybrid engine, which doesn't have the 'wet' timing belt that caused reliability issues in recent years. All new Citroëns now have the option of an eight-year warranty although, as with Toyota, main dealer servicing is a requisite. The C3's boot isn't as large as the Toyota's, but the trade-off is that it's a smaller car all round – no longer than the Jazz, in fact. It also irons out bumps very well for a car of its size. One final option would be a Suzuki Ignis, of which there are still a few available. The Ignis is a great little car, with characterful styling and a frugal mild hybrid powertrain. Its boot space might not seem brilliant at only 260 litres, but the clever thing about the Ignis is that you can slide one or both of the rear seats forward, thereby increasing the boot to a whopping 373 litres. And with Suzuki now offering a long service-activated warranty of seven years on all its cars, reliability is a given.
Irish Independent
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Wicklow's new car registrations for 2025 rise by over 5pc above the national average
According to the latest statistics released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, 1,175 new cars were registered in Co Wicklow in 2025, compared to 1.651 in 2024, representing an increase of 7.51pc. Wicklow's share of the overall market has also increased from 2.13pc in 2024 to 2.24pc this year. New electric cars are also on the increase. 393 new electric cars were registered in Wicklow this year, compared to 365 last year, which is an increase of 7.67pc. However, Wicklow's share of the electric vehicle market has actually dropped this year from 3.63pc last year to 3.17pc in 2025. Nationally, new car registrations for May were down 8.8pc (5,832) when compared to May 2024 (6,398). Registrations year to date are up 2.4pc (79,301) on the same period last year (77,461). Light commercial vehicles decreased by 1.6pc (1,913) compared to May last year (1,944). Year to date Light commercial vehicles are down 8.8pc (17,795). Heavy goods vehicles registrations are down 21.6pc (207) in comparison to May 2024 (264). Year to date, heavy goods vehicles are down 10.3pc (1,521). Imported used cars have seen a 7.9pc (5,949) rise in May 2025, when compared to May 2024 (5,513). Year to date imports are up 7.5pc (28,184) on 2024 (26,206). In May 1,092 new electric cars were registered, which was 5.3pc higher than the 1,037 registrations in May 2024. So far this year, 12,392 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 23.3pc increase compared to the same period in 2024 when 10,052 electric cars were registered. The five top selling new car brands for 2025 are Toyota at number one, Volkswagen at two, Hyundai at three, Skoda at four and Kia in fifth. The top new car models were Hyundai Tucson at one, Toyota Rav at two, Toyota Yaris Cross in third, Kia Sportage in fourth and Skoda Octavia in fifth. The top selling new electric vehicle brands for 2025 are Volkswagen at one, Kia in second, Hyundai in third, Tesla in fourth ad BYD in fifth. The top selling electric vehicle models are the Volkswagen ID at one, Kia EV3 at two, Tesla Model at three, Kia EV6 at five and Hyundai Kona in fifth. SIMI director general Brian Cooke said: 'New car registrations in May saw a 9pc decline when compared to the same month last year, although year-to-date sales remain ahead of last year, with a total of 79,301 new cars registered, up over 2pc. For the fifth consecutive month, new electric vehicle sales have increased, with EV registrations 5pc ahead of May last year, with over 12,300 new electric cars sold so far this year, representing a 23pc increase on last year. Private consumers continue to account for the majority of EV sales. 'While we are now on schedule to reach the interim climate action plan target of 175,000 electric cars (EV & PHEV) by the end of this year, as highlighted by the EPA recently, we need to do more to accelerate the growth in EV sales between now and the end of the decade. In this context, government initiatives and supports will be vital. "The commercial vehicle sector experienced a decline in May, with the light commercial vehicle (LCV) market down nearly 2pc in May and 9pc year to date. Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) registrations are down 22pc in May and 10pc year to date. Overall commercial vehicle sales are a concern, reflecting the uncertain business environment at present, with many companies deferring investment decisions.'
RTÉ News
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- RTÉ News
New car registrations down 8.8% in May, but EVs up 5.3%
New figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry show that while new car registrations overall slowed in May, the number of new electric car registrations increased. The SIMI figures show that new car registrations for May were down 8.8% to 5,832 from 6,398 the same month last year. However, registrations so far this year are up 2.4% to 79,301 from 77,461 the same time last year. SIMI said a total of 1,092 new electric cars were registered in May, a rise of 5.3% on the 1,037 EV registrations in May 2024. So far this year, 12,392 new electric cars have been registered, marking a 23.3% increase compared to the same time last year when 10,052 electric cars were registered. Meanwhile, imported used cars rose by 7.9% to 5,949 in May of this year compared to a figure of 5,513 in May of last year, SIMI said. Year to date imports are up 7.5% to 28,184 on 2024's 26,206, it added. Today's figures show that petrol cars remain the new car market leader at 27.6%, followed by hybrid (petrol electric) at 23.09%, diesel at 17.42%, electric at 15.63% and plug-in electric hybrid at 14.64%. They also reveal that the top selling new car in May was the Volkswagen Tiguan while the top selling new electric car was the Hyundai Inster. The five top selling new car brands so far this year are Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Skoda and Kia, while the top five selling new car models are the Hyundai Tucson, the Toyota RAV 4, the Toyota Yaris Cross, the Kia Sportage and the Skoda Octavia. Meanwhile the five top selling new electric vehicles brands are Volkswagen, Kia, Hyundai, Tesla and BYD. The five top selling new EV Models are the Volkswagen ID.4, the Kia EV3, the Tesla Model 3, the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Kona. The most popular colour for a new car was grey, followed by black and blue. Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, said that the fifth month in a row, new electric vehicle sales have increased, with EV registrations 5% ahead of May last year, with over 12,300 new electric cars sold so far this year, representing a 23% increase on last year. He noted that private consumers continue to account for the majority of EV sales. "While we are now on schedule to reach the interim Climate Action Plan target of 175,000 electric cars (EV & PHEV) by the end of this year, as highlighted by the EPA recently, we need to do more to accelerate the growth in EV sales between now and the end of the decade," Mr Cooke said. He said Government initiatives and supports will be vital to achieve this. He also noted that the Commercial vehicle sector experienced a decline in May, with the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) market down nearly 2% in May and 9% year to date. Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations are down 22% in May and 10% year to date.
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
First Drive: Iconic Fiat Panda is back – and it's bigger, bolder and better
Now part of the Stellantis group, the Italian car giant is confident the rebirth of this car will get it back in the game across Europe, and we think they have cracked it. As the name suggests, this third generation model is vastly bigger than its two predecessors, and comes as a B-segment SUV rather than a quirky city run-around. Size-wise, the new offering is just a millimetre under four metres, is 1.75 metres wide, 1.57 metres high and has a wheelbase of 2.54 metres – well matched to square up to rivals like the Dacia Sandero, Toyota Yaris Cross and Skoda Kamiq. Thankfully, the tale of the tape is where the comparisons end as the Panda is a masterclass in retro design and pays homage to the original. Confession time – I have very fond memories of the 1980s original as my mum had a horrid beige-coloured one, and even the crippling deckchair-styled seats, spartan dash and woeful gearbox couldn't taint those halcyon days. The new model simply oozes style and sophistication, and you can't help but be smitten by the ultra-cool grille incorporating pixel LED lights that are a nod to Fiat's Lingotto plant in Turin, which has a race track on the roof. The 3D lettering across the bottom of the doors and tailgate looks cool too, as do the subtle laser-etched panels in the C-pillar windows that spell Fiat one way and highlight the old four-stripe logo the other way. Inside, it's a similar affair with a digital cockpit that is encased in an illuminated oval backdrop that mimics the 1.5km La Pista 500 circuit and even features a miniature MK1 Panda in the corner. Behind it sits a 10-inch instrument cluster plus a 10.25-inch infotainment screen incorporating wireless smartphone mirroring. Irish customers can choose from three trims – Pop, Icon and La Prima – and all are generously equipped The cabin itself is unexpectedly roomy and the Blu Tasmania colour scheme is energised by bright yellow accents peppered around the dash, infotainment area and seat stitching. The boot is decent too, with 412 litres of luggage, but the rear seats can get quite snug with a couple of six-footers up front. Irish customers can choose from three trims – Pop, Icon and La Prima – and all are generously equipped. The entry-level model comes with manual AC, a 10-inch digital cluster, automatic eDCT transmission and a smartphone station featuring NFC-based Autolaunch. This allows users to interact with their digital devices thanks to a dedicated home button that simplifies access to their favourite screen or app. Icon trim adds a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, full LED headlamps and rear lamps and three customisable upgrade packs – Tech, Style and Winter. The Tech pack includes automatic climate control, navigation, front parking sensors, a rear-view camera and wireless charging. Style gets you 16-inch alloy wheels, roof bars, privacy glasses and skid plates, while the Winter pack (available only with the Tech pack) includes heated seats, steering wheel and windscreen. Top of the range La Prima combines all packages, along with 17-inch rims, premium interior finishes and exclusive use of Bambox Bamboo Fiber Tex for the dashboard. All models come equipped with Fiat's ADAS safety suite, including cruise control, speed limiter, active safety brake, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning and open-door alerts. If like me you have a soft spot for the old model, you're certain to fall head over heels as soon as you lay eyes on it We tested the hybrid around the outskirts of Turin last week and left more than impressed. First, it drives nothing like the first generation – proving peppy, agile and remarkably composed. The T-Gen-3 hybrid set-up twinned with a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering 110bhp is a perfect fit for the Panda, and the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission never missed a beat. Around town it was nippy and responsive and wafted along in EV mode (under 30km) in stop/start traffic. On more challenging roads and surfaces the suspension, although a tad firm, dealt with potholed B roads with gusto. It won't set your hair on fire, though – 0-100kph takes around 11 seconds – but once you get the Panda into treble figures it will cruise effortlessly, devouring mile after mile with ease. That said, the new Panda is all about fast fashion and standing out from the crowd allure, which it has in spades. If like me you have a soft spot for the old model, you're certain to fall head over heels as soon as you lay eyes on it. A rugged 4x4 may also be in the pipeline. The new Panda will arrive here next month, with prices announced closer to launch.
