Light cars top of table

Light cars are leading the year-to-date ladder for new registrations in the passenger vehicle segment.

So far in 2022, there have been 4,194 light cars sold compared to 3,216 in the first four months of last year for an increase of 30.4 per cent.

Registrations of light cars boomed in April with 1,519 units compared to 766 in the same month of last year for a jump of 98.3 per cent – a likely impact of the feebate scheme launching on April 1.

Also, medium-sized passenger vehicles have experienced a 134.6 per cent year-to-date jump in registrations, from 952 to 2,233.

Small-sized SUVs aren’t performing as well, according to Motor Industry Association statistics. By this time last year, there had been 13,121 registrations compared to 10,208 year to date in 2022 for a decrease of 22.2 per cent.

In the light-commercial sector but excluding light buses, the biggest year-on-year percentage rise – of 31.4 per cent to 11,416 units from 8,637 – has been in the four-by-four pick-up chassis cab segment. That was despite an 84.8 per cent decrease to 331 in April.