Government is looking to introduce a new licence-plate system to boost car sales next year – when Healy-Rae first mooted the idea in February, he said he was “ridiculed”.
NEW CAR SALES are up a whopping 47% this year, with over 74,111 sales being made. The figures compiled by The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that 6,333 vehicles were sold in the month of july, up from 3,748 in July 2009.
Sales of hybrid cars were disappointing, with only 1% of all engines being hybrid. 64% were diesel and 32% petrol.A total of 8,790 cars were scrapped last year, suggesting that 12% of the sales were due to the governments scrapage scheme.
The Ford Focus is the best selling car of the year so far with over 3,331 sales. 3,2375 Volkswagen Golfs were bought from January to July and 3,157 Ford Fiestas were also sold.
Director general of SIMI, Alan Nolan said: “Clearly the trend in new car sales is continuing with a steady increase in sales month on month.
“It is very positive that the improved sales are continuing. This is hugely important for businesses and employment in our sector as the fragility of the recovery has been underlined recently with a number of dealership closures,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s first electric car the Nissan LEAF is to be launched tomorrow.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING another 412,000 vehicles due to possible steering system problems. The two models in question are the Toyota Avalaon sedan and the Lexus LX470. The 373,000 Avalons affected were  built between 200 and 2004.
The casting on the vechicles could crack if the car is steered forcefully to the right, locking the wheels. The cars were sold in the US and Canada.
The US recall is expected to cost the company about $70 million (€53.5 million). The company has already recalled over 5 million cars in the US, and the latest round of recalls would bring the global figure close to 11 million. Toyota is the world’s largest car manufacturer.
Toyota said it had received reports of three accidents involving these particular Avalon models, but no injuries. A spokesperson for the company said it was unclear whether the possible steering disengagement issue was involved in the accidents.
Car sales are five months ahead of target according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI). SIMI had predicted sales of 70,000 for the year, which has already been reached. SIMI says the Government scrappage scheme has aided in the industries recovery.
