The number of new cars sold last month was down 55.9% compared to the same month a year ago, according to figures released today by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI). Just 644 cars were purchased in November versus 1,416 in the same month in 2007. Sales of imported used cars were down 17.3% in November, compared to the same month a year ago.
The motor industry in Ireland currently employs more than 50,000 people, but SIMI warned today that job losses are likely unless action is taken to stimulate business. Earlier this week the organisation called for the introduction of a scrappage scheme, which it said would boost car sales and lead to the removal of high polluting vehicles from Irish roads. In calling for the scrappage scheme, SIMI is no doubt mindful of the highly successful scrappage scheme in the mid-'90s -- when replacing older cars with cleaner, new ones boosted sales and increased Exchequer revenue. They claim that giving motorists the incentive of trading-in their car of ten years or more against a cleaner, new motor would boost consumer confidence, benefit the industry and increase Government revenue.
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