New car registrations for April were up 1.9% (8,731) when compared to April 2024 (8,565), according to the latest figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI). The big news is in terms of the growth in sales of battery electric cars (BEV), while overall new car registrations for the year to date were up 3.4% (73,505) on the same period last year (71,063).
In April 1,343 new electric cars were registered, which was 23.7% higher than the 1,086 registrations in April 2024. So far this year, 11,311 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 25.5% increase compared to the same period in 2024 when 9,015 electric cars were registered.
Kia had two models in the electric car top five segment, while the best-selling electric car so far this year has been the Volkswagen ID.4.
The five top selling new car brands for the first four months of 2025 were as follows:
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
- Skoda
- Hyundai
- Kia
The top five new car models sold for the year to the end of April were as follows:
- Hyundai Tucson
- Toyota RAV4
- Toyota Yaris Cross
- Kia Sportage
- Skoda Octavia
The top five best-selling electric cars for the year to the end of April were as follows:
- Volkswagen ID.4
- Kia EV3
- Tesla Model 3
- Kia EV6
- Hyundai Kona
Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) increased by 15% (2,558) compared to April last year (2,225). Year to date LCV registrations were down 9.5% (15,901). The Ford Ranger continues to outsell the Toyota Hilux in the 4×4 pick-up market, ahead of the Isuzu D-Max and Volkswagen Amarok. Toyota recorded 21 registrations of the new Land Cruiser by the end of April, while the absence of the commercial version of the Land Cruiser, due in June, is noticeable in terms of registration numbers.
Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registrations were down 14.6% (280) in comparison to April 2024 (328). Year to date HGVs were down 8.0% (1,317).
Imported Used Cars have seen a 0.8% (5,249) rise in April 2025, when compared to April 2024 (5,205). Year to date imports were up 7.5% (22,237) on 2024 (20,693).
