Despite fears to the contrary, car dealerships in Waterford city and county recorded excellent sales figures in January.
In fact, only 31 less cars were sold in the combined Waterford area when compared to the bumper figures registered in January 2007.
Sales in ’08 plates picked up significantly as the month progressed, as initial confusion among customers regarding the changes in Vehicle Registration Tax in last December’s Budget began to dissipate.
The first 20-day sales figures for January, as featured in our February 1st edition, indicated drops of 15 and seven per cent respectively in the city and county, which illustrates the extent of the late recovery.
In the final 11 days of the month, 166 new cars were sold in the city while 75 were shifted in the county.
In total, city businesses saw 689 new passenger cars rolling out of their forecourts, with county garages tallying 605 sales.
Comparing the January ’07 figures with the latest data released by the Society of the Irish Motor Society (SIMI) provides a contrast in the fortunes of some of the best known brands on the road today.
For example, Renault experienced a whopping increase in its city sales, selling 52 more cars last month than they did in the corresponding timeframe last year. It also doubled its sales figures in the county.
While Renault outsold all other marques in the city, Toyota led the way in the county, shifting 73 units, just three less than what it achieved in January ‘07.
The best combined selling figures for the city and county went to GM (Opel) with 124, pipping Ford by two.
Interestingly, despite retaining its status as Waterford city and county’s most widely bought brand, sales in GM (Opel) fell by 70 in comparison to the same month last year.
The top five selling brands, combining city and county figures were:
Despite fears to the contrary, car dealerships in Waterford city and county recorded excellent sales figures in January.
First: GM (Opel) 124
Second & Third: Ford and Toyota 122
Fourth: Renault 119
