New Car Registrations: increased 4% in Q1 2025; battery electric increased 29%

Today, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) released their official 251 new vehicle registration statistics for March.

New car registrations for March were up 18.4% (17,345) when compared to March 2024 (14,644). Registrations year to date are up 4% (64,824) on the same period last year (62,498). 

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) declined by 10.2% (3,940) compared to March last year (4,388). Year to date LCVs are down 13% (13,352). Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registrations are down 21.2% (275) in comparison to March 2024 (349). Year to date HGVs are down 6% (1,037).

Imported Used Cars have seen a 11% (5,790) rise in March 2025, when compared to March 2024 (5,217). Year to date imports are up 9.7% (16,991) on 2024 (15,488).

In March 2,544 new electric cars were registered, which was 29% higher than the 1,980 registrations in March 2024. So far this year, 9,978 new electric cars have been registered representing a 25.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024 when 7,929 electric cars were registered. 

In the new car market share by engine type for 2025, Petrol cars continue to lead the new car market at 27.85%, followed by Hybrid (Petrol Electric) at 24.28%, Diesel at 16.73%, Electric at 15.39%, and Plug-in Electric Hybrid at 14.14%. 

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General commented:

“Buoyed by a strong performance in March, the first quarter of the year has seen new car registrations increase by 4% when compared to Q1 2024. Electric Vehicle sales have rebounded since the start of the year growing by 29% in March, to a total of 2,544 units, while year to date they stand at 9,978 units, capturing 15% of the market. In addition to the positive news on EVs, the market performance has been driven by an increase in the sales of hybrid cars, which when combined with EVs account for 55% of the market. On the other hand, Light Commercial Vehicle registrations have seen another month of decline with a 13% decrease in LCV sales this quarter and Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations are down 6% year to date. This decline in commercial registrations highlights the current uncertain economic climate.” 

2025 Total New Vehicle Stats

• New Car sales total year to date (2025) 64,824 v (2024) 62,498 +4%

• New Car sales total March (2025) 17,345 v (2024) 14,644 +18.4%

• New Light Commercial Vehicles sales year to date (2025) 13,352 v (2024) 15,337 -13%

• New Light Commercial Vehicles sales total March (2025) 3,940 v (2024) 4,388 -10.2%

• New Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales year to date (2025) 1,037 v (2024) 1,104 -6%

• New Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales March (2025) 275 v (2024) 349 -21.2%

• New Buses/ Coaches sales year to date (2025) 144 v (2024) 222 -35.1%

• New Buses/ Coaches total sales March (2025) 58 v (2024) 34 +41.4%

• Used Car Imports total year to date (2025) 16,991 v (2024) 15,488 +9.7%

• Used Car Imports total March (2025) 5,790 v (2024) 5,217 +11.0%

• New Electric Vehicle sales total year to date (2025) 9,978 v (2024) 7,929 +25.8%

• New Electric Vehicle sales total March (2025) 2,544 v (2024) 1,980 +29%

• 5 Top Selling New Car Brands 2025 were: 1. TOYOTA, 2.VOLKSWAGEN, 3.HYUNDAI, 4.SKODA, 5.KIA
• 5 Top New Car Model’s 2025 were: 1. HYUNDAI TUCSON, 2. TOYOTA YARIS CROSS, 3. TOYOTA RAV 4, 4. KIA SPORTAGE, 5. SKODA OCTAVIA

• 5 Top Selling Electric Vehicles (EVs) Brands 2025: 1. VOLKSWAGEN, 2. KIA, 3. HYUNDAI, 4. TESLA, 5. NISSAN
• 5 Top Selling Electric Vehicle Models (EVs) 2025: 1. VOLKSWAGEN ID.4,  2. TESLA MODEL 3, 3. KIA EV3, 4. KIA EV6, 5. HYUNDAI KONA

• Top Selling New Car (March) 2025: TOYOTA RAV 4

• Top Selling New Electric Car (March) 2025: VOLKSWAGEN ID.4

• Market share by engine type 2025: Petrol 27.85%, Hybrid (Petrol Electric) 24.28%, Diesel 16.73%, Electric 15.39%, Plug-In Electric Hybrid 14.14%

• Tables below shows total new car registrations by county 2025 and total new eDownload sound byte Brian Cookelectric car registrations by county 2025.

Click Here to download pdf

Click Here to download pdf

For further information: Teresa Noone, SIMI, Tel: 087 7928844 Email tnoone@simi.ie