Top 10: Irish car sales 2012

The lack of a scrappage scheme and the increase in VAT from 21% to 23% at the beginning of the year inevitably meant that fewer new cars were registered in Ireland during 2012.

According to figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, total registrations were 79,498, a drop of 11.6% versus 2011’s total of 89,904.

However, the top ten most popular manufacturers remained the same, even if there were some position shifts - including at the very top of the table. Despite selling fewer units, Volkswagen managed a slight increase in market share that was enough to displace Toyota from the number one spot.

Volkswagen Golf 5-Door Hatchback (2013) Front Side 1
Volkswagen: Ireland's most popular car brand in 2012.

Bucking the market trend was Hyundai, which demonstrated that its spectacular growth in 2011 wasn’t a fluke. The Korean brand managed to record 5,206 registrations in 2012, a rise of nearly 30% that was enough to secure sixth place.

Significantly less successful was Renault. It saw volumes plunge by 3,325, resulting in a fifth place finish to the year behind Nissan.

Top 10: Irish Car Registrations 2012 - By Manufacturer
Position Manufacturer 2012 2011 +/- % +/-
1 Volkswagen 10,051 11,247 -1,198 -10.6%
2 Toyota 9,956 11,812 -1,856 -15.7%
3 Ford 8,563 10,519 -1,956 -18.6%
4 Nissan 6,023 6,763 -740 -10.9%
5 Renault 5,255 8,580 -3,325 -38.8%
6 Hyundai 5,206 4,011 1,195 29.8%
7 Opel 5,102 6,387 -1,285 -20.1%
8 Škoda 5,078 4,651 427 9.2%
9 Audi 3,647 3,464 183 5.3%
10 BMW 3,329 3,433 -104 -3.0%
Figures provided by SIMI Statistical Service

The Ford Focus retained its status as Ireland’s best-selling car, while the Volkswagen Golf once again took the runner-up position:

Top 10: Irish Car Registrations 2012 - By Model
Position Manufacturer Model Registrations
1 Ford Focus 3,748
2 Volkswagen Golf 3,360
3 Nissan Qashqai 3,298
4 Toyota Avensis 2,938
5 Toyota Yaris 2,438
6 Škoda Octavia 2,396
7 Ford Fiesta 2,152
8 Volkswagen Passat Saloon 2,143
9 Toyota Auris 1,914
10 Renault Fluence 1,889
Figures provided by SIMI Statistical Service

Related posts:
Top 10: UK car sales 2012
Top 10: Irish car sales 2011
Top 10: Irish car sales 2010

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