According to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), 15,929 cars were registered last month, down from 47,609 in January of last year. Ford, with a 17.9 percent share, was market leader, ahead of Toyota.
With 2,853 units, Ford’s was the strongest showing of any major brand. Sales were down 54 percent on last January, with Toyota down 64 percent (2,270 units, 14.3 percent share) and Nissan down 61.5 percent at 1,479 units (9.3 percent share).
Ford 2,853 (17.9 percent), Toyota 2,270 (14.3 percent), Nissan 1,479 (9.3 percent). VW 1,242 (7.8 percent), Opel 1,158 (7.3 percent)
“Pent-up demand for the new Fiesta and our offer on the Focus has seen Ford take the No.1 spot in January, but in this haemorrhaging market there’s little cause for celebration,” said Eddie Murphy of Ford Ireland.
“The Government cannot just stand by and watch the market implode,” he continued. “At this rate the industry will fall short of 65,000 units in 2009 and the Government will suffer a €1 billion shortfall in projected revenue from the sector. It has to look at a scrappage scheme to help ignite the market, much as it is doing in Germany, for example. It is tantamount to economic suicide to allow the opportunity pass here.”
Sales of vans plummeted by 76 percent in January, with Ford again the top-selling brand.
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