The figures, released today by the SIMI (Society of the Irish Motor Industry), reflect the decline in showroom footfall around the country and lack of retail activity.
Alan Nolan, Director General of the SIMI (pictured) says that, "While the industry is still trying to drive sales, the reality is that the peak selling period of 2012 is now over. Because of the seasonal nature of car sales, sales will continue to decline month on month for the rest of the year."
Some 80 percent of all new cars are sold in the first half of the year.
"Every year, we see the same pattern; a spike in car sales in January and then a decline, month on month.
"What this means is that staff taken on for the busy first quarter, often have to be let go mid year because of the lack of activity throughout the rest of the year."
In the first six months of 2011, 1,300 jobs were created. However, in each subsequent quarter of the year, there was a decline in employment.
