Ireland's new car market continues to bounce back as another 20 percent increase in sales during February - on top of a buoyant January - has helped to boost the country's struggling retail sector. A total of 12,754 new cars were registered in February, with a further 1,869 new commercial vehicles ensuring the market remains on course for 100,000 sales in 2014.
It is the growth in sales of light commercial vehicles (vans) that is sparking the most optimism in business circles, as SMEs continue to invest for the future. In each of the first two months of the year, the LCV market has grown by a colossal 41 percent to boost the growing feel good factor in showrooms around the country.
Ford Transit
Ford again leads the commercial vehicle market for the year to date - as they have done for 24 of the past 25 years. Ford Ireland chief Eddie Murphy hails the strong growth in commercial vehicles sales. "It's the growth in new commercial sales that is the greatest cause for optimism as it reflects how companies, SMEs in particular, are feeling. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy so if they are feeling positive and are investing in new vans and trucks, if they are spending money, that's a very good sign." Ford Transit remains the country's most popular LCV.
