WEALTH November 3, 2025 0 Comments

October’s 9% Drop in New Car Registrations: What the Auto Giants Don’t Want You to Know!

Is a 9.3% dip in new car registrations last October the canary in the coal mine for the Irish auto market—or just a blip on an otherwise accelerating highway? After months of steady climbs, October marked the first year-on-year sales decline since May, landing at 2,192 cars registered compared to 2,417 last year. Yet, here’s the kicker—despite this hiccup, the year-to-date figures still rev ahead of 2024 by 3.4%, a testament to underlying strength and perhaps, evolving consumer tastes. Electric vehicles are clearly carving out more than just a niche, boasting a staggering 34.3% leap last month alone, and a neighborly 38.6% jump for the first ten months of 2025 versus the previous year. Meanwhile, light commercial vehicles are pulling even harder, up by over 40%. It’s a market reshaping itself faster than you can say “hybrid” or “plug-in electric.” So, what’s really driving these shifts—tech, economy, or just a renewed buzz for cleaner, smarter rides? Buckle up, the road ahead looks as fascinating as it does unpredictable. LEARN MORE

New car registrations declined 9.3% in October, marking the first time sales have fallen year-on-year since May, according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).

There were 2,192 new cars registered last month, down from 2,417 in October 2024. For the year to date, registrations are outpacing 2024 by 3.4% at 123,858 compared to 119,772.

Sales of battery electric cars were 34.3% higher at 709 compared to October 2024 (528). During the first 10 months of 2025, there were 23,085 electric cars registered, representing a 38.6% increase on the same period in 2024 (16,653).

Registrations of new light commercial vehicles increased 41.8% to 1,694 from 1,195 last October, and for the year, sales are up 4.7% to 31,448.

While registrations of heavy goods vehicles rose 7.8% from 128 to 138 in October, for the first 10 months of the year, sales are down 7.6% at 2,541.

Imported used cars have seen a 19% (6,791) rise in October 2025, when compared to October 2024 (5,709), and year to date imports are up 13.1% (60,452) on 2024 (53,446).

Petrol cars continue as the new car market leader at 25.23%, followed by hybrid (petrol electric) at 22.56%, electric at 18.64%, diesel at 17.13%, and plug-in electric hybrid at 14.83%.

“While October new car registrations declined by 9% when compared to the same month last year, year-to-date new car sales remain over 3% ahead, with a total of 123,858 new cars registered,” said Brian Cooke, director general of SIMI.

“October’s new battery electric car registrations indicate growth in every county, with 709 units registered, an increase of 34% when compared to October 2024, marking the tenth consecutive month of growth in EV sales.”

This year, the top five selling car brands are Toyota, Volkswagen, Skoda, Hyundai and Kia, and the top five models are the Hyundai Tucson, Skoda Octavia, Kia Sportage, Toyota Yaris Cross and Toyota Rav 4.

In terms of electric vehicles, the top five brands of 2025 are VW, Kia, Hyundai, Tesla and Skoda. The VW ID.4 is the best selling EV ahead of the Tesla Model 3, Kia EV3, Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6.

(Pic: Getty Images)