Michael McAleer,
Motoring editor
New car sales fell 6.9 per cent last year to 145,331, down from 156,115 in 2002 - the third successive year that the car market has recorded a decrease.
However, as dealers begin the busiest month for sales, with buyers seeking delivery of 04-registered models, most are more confident about this year's outlook, reflecting an industry-wide belief that the sector is poised for a rebound.
A survey of senior executives at carmakers and parts manufacturers published yesterday by KPMG claimed the car industry is poised to rebound from its worldwide slump but is unlikely to record the profit levels of four years ago until at least 2006.
Mr Cyril McHugh, Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) chief executive, said that last year's Irish car sales downturn reflected uncertainty in the market due to several factors, including the general global economic climate and new EU Block Exemption rules requiring significant investment by dealers in their premises and equipment.
According to the SIMI, new car sales in 2003 contributed €1.23 billion to the Exchequer - comprising €817 million from vehicle registration tax and €413 million in VAT - with motorists contributing more than €4 billion in tax, including car sales, fuel, road tax and benefit-in-kind taxation.
Ford was the best selling brand in 2003, with a 12.2 per cent market share and 17,728 sales, the first time it has topped 12 per cent since 1997. Its nearest rivals were Toyota, with 11.79 per cent market share, Volkswagen with 10 per cent and Nissan with 9.4 per cent.
Those that suffered from the fall in sales included Renault, down 1,503 to 9,827, and Fiat, with 5,218 cars sold in 2003, down 42.5 per cent on the previous year. Its sister brand, Alfa Romeo, recorded a similar 40 per cent decline in sales to 783 last year.
At the luxury end, BMW sales fell from 4,247 in 2002 to 3,688. But Mercedes-Benz car sales were up 1,039 to 4,921 and Porsche sales rose 60 per cent to 56.
Light commercial vehicle sales were down 11.9 per but sales of heavy commercial vehicles were up 7.5 per cent.
