New car registrations in Mayo up 3.74% in first half of the year
New car registrations in Mayo for the first half of 2026 are up 3.74% on last year.
From the start of January to the end of June (the 261 registration period), 1,443 new vehicles were registered in Mayo. In the same period last year, 1,391 new vehicles were registered in the county.
The statistics from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that new car registrations for June were down 9.7% (2,200) compared to June 2025 (2,436) but year to date are up 4.2% (85,203) on the same period last year (81,749).
Light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations increased by 2.9% (1,082) compared to June last year (1,052). Year to date, LCVs are up 14.3% (21,492). Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) registrations experienced a decrease of 25% (96) in comparison to June 2025 (128). Year to date, HGVs are down 5.9% (1,553).
Imported used cars have seen a 42.7% (8,149) increase in June 2026 when compared to June 2025 (5,712). Year to date, imports are up 39% (47,109) on 2025 (33,895).
In June 1,123 new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were registered, which was a 9.7% decrease from the 1,244 registrations in June 2025. So far this year, 20,164 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 48.0% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 13,629 electric cars were registered.
In the new car market share by engine type, hybrid (petrol/electric) continues to lead the market at 25.89% as the most popular, followed by electric (23.67%), petrol (21.06%), plug-in hybrid (14.21%) and diesel (12.87%).
Commenting on the figures, SIMI director general Brian Cooke said: “Overall, the new car market outturn for the first half of the year was positive, with 85,203 new cars sold – an increase of 4% on the first six months of last year.
“The clear trend in sales is the move towards battery electric and hybrid electric sales, which now account for nearly two-thirds of the market. Only seven years ago, petrol and diesel cars accounted for 88% of registrations.
“This is a fundamental market development and is particularly underlined this year by the increase in BEV sales, which at 20,164 units represent a 24% market share.
“Looking forward to the 262 July registration plate, we are expecting further growth in BEV sales. The extension of the SEAI purchase grants, backed up by generous offers from distributors and retailers, has now been further enhanced by the 2,000 customers availing of the government’s BEV pilot scrappage scheme.”
The five top selling new car brands so far this year are: Toyota, Volkswagen, Skoda, Hyundai, Kia. The five top selling new car models are: Toyota Yaris Cross, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Toyota Corolla, Skoda Kodiaq.