West's car dealers are enjoying strong sales so far this year
Sales of new cars in the West of Ireland remain strong with some counties set to post their best results in several years, according to the latest figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
In Mayo, there were 2,325 new car registrations by the end of October, a rise of 6.9% compared to the same 10-month period last year. However, there were even stronger growth figures in Galway, Sligo and Roscommon, with the last two counties posting double-digit rises in new registrations.
In Galway, which has the largest new car market in Connacht, new registrations rose by 8.29% to 5,540 up to October 31, compared to 5,116 for the same period last year. Motor dealers in Sligo saw new car registrations increase by 11.48% to 1,321, compared to 1,185 for the same ten months in 2025, while Roscommon enjoyed the largest percentage increase of the five Connacht counties, with sales rising by 12.34% to 1,220, compared to 1,086 up to October 31, 2025.
The smallest car market in Connacht is in County Leitrim where there were 484 new registrations up to October 31, compared to 465 for the same period last year, an increase of 4.09%.
Nationally, new car registrations for the month of October rose by 15% to 2,501, compared to October 2025 when 2,180 were recorded. Overall, sales of new cars are up by 6% for the first 10 months of the year to 130,754, compared to 123,855 for the same period last year.
Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) increased by 2% to 1,727 in October compared to the same month last year when 1,687 were registered. Year to date, LCVs are up 7% to 33,638. Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) registrations rose by 45% to 205 in October, compared to 141 in October 2025. Year to date, HGVs are up 2% to 2,586.
Imported used cars saw a 15% increase in October to 7,831, compared to October 2025 when 6,791 used cars were imported. Year to date, imports are up by a staggering 32% to 79,969, compared to 60,452 for the first ten months of last year.
In October, 1,092 new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were registered, a 55% increase from the 706 registrations in October 2025. So far this year, 36,270 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 57% increase compared to the same period in 2025 when 23,082 electric cars were registered.
In the new car market share by engine type, battery electric vehicles lead with 27.74%, followed by hybrid (petrol electric) 23.54%, petrol 19.43%, plug-in hybrid 14.99%, and diesel 12.31%.
Emma Mitchell, Operations Director, SIMI, said: “Demand for new battery electric vehicles remained strong in October, helped by government support and market offerings. Year-to-date BEV sales reached 36,270 units, a 57% increase on the same period last year. Growth is being seen across the country, including strong increases in both urban and rural areas, with 61% of new electric cars registered outside Dublin this year. BEVs are now the most popular powertrain for Irish new car buyers so far this year.”
