The total number of new cars sold in Ireland during 2024 fell marginally by 1.0% to 121,012 units compared to 2023. Despite the slight decline in new car sales, the demand for vehicles remains robust, evidenced by the 61,555 used imports registered in 2024 — a 21.5% increase compared to 2023. Looking ahead, Škoda Ireland projects a more optimistic outlook for 2025, with a market of 125,000 passenger vehicle achievable.
In terms of market trends, 2024 saw no significant shifts in vehicle types. Small and medium SUVs continued to dominate, accounting for 55% of sales, while standard petrol-powered cars represented 30% of the market. Diesel-powered vehicles, which had experienced eight consecutive years of decline, saw a slight recovery in 2024, with a 1.3% increase in sales, totaling 27,480 units. Škoda maintained its leading position in the diesel segment, increasing its share from 21% to 26%, supported by its Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) initiative.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) emerged as the fastest-growing segment in 2024, with 12,138 units registered—a 20.4% increase from the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by Korean and premium brands. The PHEV segment is expected to see continued expansion in 2025, bolstered by the introduction of new market entrants and longer-range models like the Škoda Superb, which offers an electric range of over 130 kilometres on the WLTP cycle.
While electric vehicle (EV) sales declined by 24% in 2024, with 17,450 units registered, it still marked the second-best year on record for the segment. Škoda Ireland is optimistic about a rebound in EV sales to 2023 levels next year, driven by the launch of new smaller and inexpensive market entrants including its competitively priced electric SUV, the Škoda Elroq. Škoda expects to triple its EV sales in Ireland to over 1,500 units in the coming year.
Another notable trend is the growing preference for automatic transmissions, which accounted for 66% of all vehicles sold in 2024. This marks a significant shift from just five years ago when manual vehicles outsold automatics by 2 to 1. With stricter emission standards favoring automatic transmissions, manual transmissions will become increasingly rare over the next five years.
Irish car buyers’ color preferences remain consistent, with grey/silver leading the way at 38% of sales (46,510 units), followed by black at 19% (23,515 units). This ranking has remained unchanged since data collection began in 2008!
Consumers now enjoy more choices than ever before, with 41 car brands registered in Ireland in 2024, up from 33 in 2019. More brands are expected to enter the Irish market in 2025.
Commenting on the 2024 results, John Donegan, Brand Director at Škoda Ireland, stated: “Despite some global uncertainties I am optimistic regarding 2025. Inflation is under control and unemployment remains low. A total market of 125,000 new vehicles next year is achievable, with the Škoda brand to maintain third position. The Škoda brand has enjoyed its most successful year in the Irish market, with 12,181 vehicles delivered to customers.
“Škoda has outgrown every other brand in the market, increasing our share from 8.3% in 2023 to 10.1% this year. Our momentum will continue into 2025 with improved availability of Plug-In Hybrid Kodiaq, Superb, and the fully electric Enyaq. The industry is changing at a faster pace than ever before. Electrification, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence will provide both challenges and opportunities for our brand in the coming years. I would like to thank our dealer network and customers for their support and custom in 2024 and wish them a prosperous New Year.”
Data Source: https://stats.beepbeep.ie/ compiled on 30 December, 2024
