The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has released figures for new car sales for June. New cars sales in June 2008 (7,907) were down 48.65 per cent on June 2007 (15,399), while sales for the first six months of the year (124,146) were 18.83 per cent down on the same period in 2007 (152,938).

Commenting on the figures, SIMI Director General, Alan Nolan said: "It had been widely expected that the fall in new car sales evident in the May statistics would continue in June, as we moved closer to the July changeover date and this has proven to be the case. June 2008 registrations were down 48.65 per cent compared to the same period last year and down 18.83 per cent year to date."

Nolan added: "From July, we are into the new system and consumers can now benefit from the lower VRT and Road Tax rates that apply in the case of the more environmentally friendly cars. We would anticipate a higher level of interest and activity during the coming month. These VRT and Road Tax changes are really good news for consumers, as cars will be cheaper to buy if they make the good choices.

"There are savings across all ranges and technologies, including efficient petrol engines, cleaner diesels, biofuel and hybrid cars. We have already begun to see the changes affecting the used car market with a recent survey indicating that asking prices on used diesel cars have dropped on average by 11 per cent and petrol cars on average by 15 per cent since the start of the year. There is incredibly good value out there for buyers in new and used cars."

Light Commercial Vehicle registrations for the first six months of 2008 (24,718) are down 24.39 per cent on the same period last year (32,693). Heavy Vehicle (HGV) registrations are down 27.66 per cent (2,655) for the year to date to end of June 2008, compared to the same period in 2007 (3,670).

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