New car registrations for August were up 3% (7,811) compared to August 2025 (7,581), according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) official 262 new vehicle registration statistics for August. New car registrations year to date are up 5% (121,979) on the same period last year (116,068).
The SIMI figures show that Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) decreased by 10% (2,382) compared to August last year (2,651). Year to date, LCVs are up 7% (29,604). Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations experienced an increase of 9% (223) in comparison to August 2025 (205). Year to date, HGVs are down 1% (2,205).
Imported Used Cars have seen a 36% (8,093) increase in August 2026, when compared to August 2025 (5,963). Year to date imports are up 37% (63,815) on 2025 (46,661).
In August, 2,265 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was a 7% increase from the 2,115 registrations in August 2025. So far this year, 32,079 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 55% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 20,642 electric cars were registered.
In the new car market share by engine type, Battery Electric cars lead market position with 26.3%, followed by Hybrid (Petrol Electric) 24.14%, Petrol 20.09%, Plug-In Hybrid 14.85%, and Diesel 12.56%.
5 Top New Car Models 2026 were:
- TOYOTA YARIS CROSS, 2. HYUNDAI TUCSON, 3. SKODA OCTAVIA, 4. KIA SPORTAGE, 5. SKODA KODIAQ
5 Top Selling New Electric Vehicles (EVs) Brands 2026:
- KIA, 2. VOLKSWAGEN, 3. HYUNDAI, 4. SKODA, 5. TESLA
5 Top Selling New Electric Vehicles (EVs) Models 2026:
- VOLKSWAGEN ID.4, 2. TESLA MODEL Y, 3. SKODA ENYAQ, 4. SKODA ELROQ, 5. TOYOTA BZ4X
Top Selling New Car (August) 2026: TOYOTA RAV 4
Top Selling New Electric Car (August) 2026: VOLKSWAGEN ID.4
