The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) released their official 251 new vehicle registration statistics for March. New car registrations for March were up 18.4% (17,345) when compared to March 2024 (14,644). Registrations year to date are up 4% (64,824) on the same period last year (62,498).
Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) declined by 10.2% (3,940) compared to March last year (4,388). Year to date LCVs were down 13% (13,352). Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registrations are down 21.2% (275) in comparison to March 2024 (349). Year to date HGVs were down 6% (1,037).
Imported Used Cars have seen a 11% (5,790) rise in March 2025, when compared to March 2024 (5,217). Year to date imports were up 9.7% (16,991) on 2024 (15,488).
In March 2,544 new electric cars were registered, which was 29% higher than the 1,980 registrations in March 2024. So far this year, 9,978 new electric cars have been registered representing a 25.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024 when 7,929 electric cars were registered.
In the new car market share by engine type for 2025, Petrol cars continue to lead the new car market at 27.85%, followed by Hybrid (Petrol Electric) at 24.28%, Diesel at 16.73%, Electric at 15.39%, and Plug-in Electric Hybrid at 14.14%.
Toyota Ireland is once again the best-selling car brand for the first quarter of 2025, marking its fifth consecutive year at the top, with a market share of 15.1%. Toyota sold 9,755 passenger cars from January 1st to March 31st, a gap of over 3,000 units between Toyota and its closest competitor.
While the Hyundai Tucson was the best-selling car so far this year, four Toyota models featured in the top ten best-selling passenger cars, the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, Corolla Hybrid, and Toyota C-HR Hybrid, all of which posted impressive numbers.
Electrified driving continues to dominate over petrol, with 55.41% of passenger vehicles sold in Q1 being Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid or Battery Electric vehicles.
The ‘best of both worlds’ Plug-In Hybrid options continue to grow in popularity in 2025 and are now Ireland’s fastest growing powertrain, with sales increasing by 61.28% compared to Q1 2024.
Diesel sales continue to decline, with only 10,848 units sold in the first three months of 2025, compared to 2024, representing a 24.98% decrease.
On the other hand, with a 25.84% increase in market share, Battery Electric Vehicles made early strides in Q1 2025, achieving 9,978 sales compared to 7,929 in Q1 2024. Consumer choice is set to increase with Toyota’s announcement of an exciting new all-electric model.
