Business

Sales of new cars in north rose by 4.6% during August - SMMT

Kia Sportage was best-selling new car in Northern Ireland during August

The Sportage is well equipped and comes with Kia’s seven-year warranty. (Kia)
The Kia Sportage was the best-selling new car in Northern Ireland during the month of August, according to the SMMT. (Adam Warner)
By Ryan McAleer

The north’s motor retailers reported another month of improved car sales in August, new industry data shows.

A total of 3,466 new cars were registered last month according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

That was 4.6% up on the same month last year, when 3,314 new motors were sold, and a better month than August 2019, when 3,394 new cars were registered in the north.

Despite the improved summer trend, the 34,580 new cars sold in the first eight months of 2024 means Northern Ireland’s dealerships are still well down on pre-pandemic levels.

A total of 38,407 new cars were sold in the same eight-month period in 2018, a difference of 3,825.

The Kia Sportage was the clear favourite among Northern Ireland consumers in August, according to the SMMT, with 153 new models sold, well ahead of the Peugeot 3008 (119) and Hyundai Tucson (103).

The Ford Puma (97) and Volkswagen T-Roc (90) completed the top five list for last month.