New car sales have trailed off as the year progressed, though the motor industry is celebrating a return to growth overall for 2016.
Years of pent-up demand led to a strong start to 2016, while a mid-year spike — due to the 162 registration period — ensured a strong year overall. Recent months have shown a notable drop, which experts have credited to a post-Brexit caution and a surge in insurance costs.
In total, 18,793 new cars have been sold in Cork in 2016, almost 3,500 more than last year.
Trends in Cork mirror those nationally, with a 17.45% boost year-on-year reported. Car dealers have reported a change in tastes for motorists this year, though, with SUV-type vehicles becoming more popular than traditional family vehicles. Hyundai, which was the fourth most popular manufacturer in 2015, is Ireland’s favourite manufacturer so far this year, with the Tuscon becoming the most sought after model of car ahead of traditional favourites like the Golf, Mondeo and Focus.
JUST 79 new cars were bought in Cork in November as motorists are firmly focused on 2017.