Cars crash: Sales of new vehicles in Kilkenny fall by 15% in March

New car sales in Kilkenny fell 14.71% in March when compared to the same month last year.

Just 1055 new vehicles were sold while 1237 were purchased in March of 2019.

According to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI),  new car registrations nationwide were down 63% (6,174) when compared to March 2019 (16,687).

Registrations year to date are also down 20.5% (51,015) on the same period last year (64,126).

Light Commercials vehicles (LCV) are down 52.9% (1,434) compared to March last year (3,044) and year to date are down 15.2% (9,378).

HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are up 17.67% (313) in comparison to March 2019 (266). Year to date HGV’s are up 12.59% (993).

Used car imports for March (4,656) have seen a decrease of 48.1% on March 2019 (8,970). Year to date imports are down 34.9% (17,471) on 2019 (26,832).

“The health of our nation is the overriding priority. The Motor Industry will assist the State in any way we can during this pandemic,” Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General commenting on the market figures said.

“While showrooms, service and other activities within the Industry are closed, members are available to assist in emergency call-out or delivery services. This will be vital in keeping essential and emergency services moving.”