SIMI – The Society of the Irish Motor Industry has released their official new vehicle registrations statistics for 2025.
Total new car registrations for 2025 reached 124,954, representing a 3% increase when compared to 2024 (121,316).
New Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) registrations in 2025 saw an increase of 7% (32,779) compared to 2024 (30,669). New Heavy Commercial Vehicle registrations (HGV) decreased by 5.1% (2,715) in comparison to 2024 (2,862).
Imported Used Cars saw 71,813 registrations in 2025, an increase of 16.6% on 2024 (61,583).
23,601 new electric cars were registered in 2025, an increase of 35.1% from the 17,460 registrations seen in 2024.
Market share for 2025 sees Petrol accounting for 25.11%, Hybrid 22.48%, Electric 18.89%, Diesel 17.09%, and Plug-In Hybrid 14.82%. Petrol remains the most popular engine type of choice for 2025, despite a decline in market share. Electric, Hybrid, and Plug-in Hybrid vehicles have gained momentum, accounting for over 56% of the market.
Automatic transmissions account for 75.25% of the market share in 2025, while manual transmissions have declined to 24.73%.
The hatchback continues to remain Ireland’s top-selling car body type of 2025. Grey has retained the top-selling colour title for the tenth year running.
Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, commenting:
“The new car market in 2025 finished in line with projections, as new car registrations reached 124,954 units, an increase of 3% on 2024. Light Commercial Vehicles sales were 7% ahead of last year, while HGV registrations were down 5% on 2024. Battery-electric cars reached 23,601 units, an increase of 35% on 2024, the highest level of sales annually, surpassing the previous record year of 2023, with an increase in registrations in every county. This, along with the increase in plug-in hybrid registrations, meant that Ireland comfortably surpassed the 2025 Climate Action Plan targets. Hybrid-electric vehicles also continued to gain momentum in 2025, while traditional fuels (petrol and diesel) have seen a decline in their market share. The 261 sales period has now commenced, and the Irish Motor Industry is optimistic for the year ahead. Retailers and manufacturers have a variety of offers and different models available for both new and used cars to suit all buyers, making it a good time to shop around.”
2025 Total New Vehicle Stats
- New Car sales total year to date (2025) 124,954 v (2024) 121,316 +3%
- New Car sales total December (2025) 276 v (2024) 423 -35%
- New Light Commercial Vehicles sales year to date (2025) 32,779 v (2024) 30,669 +7%
- New Light Commercial Vehicles sales total December (2025) 313 v (2024) 94 +233%
- New Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales year to date (2025) 2,715 v (2024) 2,862 -5.14%
- New Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales December (2025) 63 v (2024) 17 +270.59%
- New Buses/Coaches sales year to date (2025) 410 v (2024) 576 -28.7%
- Used Car Imports total year to date (2025) 71,813 v (2024) 61,583 +16.6%
- Used Car Imports total December (2025) 4,989 v (2024) 3,175 +57.1%
- New Electric Vehicles sales total year to date (2025) 23,601 v (2024) 17, 460 + 35.1%
- New Electric Vehicles sales December (2025) 171 v (2024) 296 -42.2%
- 5 Top Selling New Car Brands 2025 were: 1. TOYOTA, 2. VOLKSWAGEN, 3. SKODA, 4. HYUNDAI, 5. KIA
- 5 Top New Car Models 2025 were 1. HYUNDAI TUCSON, 2. SKODA OCTAVIA, 3. KIA SPORTAGE, 4. TOYOTA YARIS CROSS, 5. TOYOTA RAV 4
- 5 Top Selling New Electric Vehicles (EVs) Car Brands 2025: 1. VOLKSWAGEN, 2. KIA, 3. TESLA, 4. HYUNDAI, 5. SKODA
- 5 Top Selling New Electric Vehicles (EVs) Models 2025: 1. VOLKSWAGEN ID.4, 2. TESLA MODEL 3, 3. KIA EV3, 4. TESLA MODEL Y, 5. HYUNDAI INSTER
- Top Selling New Car 2025: HYUNDAI TUCSON
- Top 3 Top Selling New Car Colours 2025: 1. Grey 2. Black 3. Blue
- Top New Car Body Type: Hatchback
- 2025 % Share of Cars by Transmission Type: Automatic 75.25%, Manual 24.73%, CTB/Linear Gear 0.02%
- Market share by engine type 2025: Petrol 25.11%, Hybrid 22.48%, Electric 18.89%, Diesel 17.09%, Plug-in Hybrid 14.82%