Sales numbers ‘cause for optimism’

Registrations of new vehicles came in at 10,251 last month, 65 units higher than in May 2024.

The Motor Industry Association (MIA) says this signals stabilisation in monthly demand although year-to-date figures continue to reflect a softer market.

There were 51,621 new vehicles registered to the end of May for a three per cent decline compared with 53,352 over the same period in 2024. 

The MIA’s chief executive, Aimee Wiley, says while the year-on-year result for May shows encouraging signs, the overall market is yet to regain momentum.  

Wiley, pictured, adds: “We probably still have a period of subdued activity to come, but these May numbers do offer some cause for optimism and hopes for better times ahead.” 

For cars and SUVs, new registrations at 6,817 showed a small improvement on 6,369 in May 2024. Light commercials with 3,016 units and heavy commercials with 418 units represented drops of 3,154 and 663 respectively. 

Toyota’s RAV4 is the leading model on a year-to-date basis with 3,806 registrations for a 10.5 per cent share of the market. As for utes, Ford’s Ranger is on 3,510 sales so far in 2025 with Toyota’s Hilux on 3,438. 

Registrations of battery electric light passenger vehicles remained relatively steady last month with 447 units, up five from April. The Polestar 2 topped the ladder with 72 sales.

Hybrids with 2,883 registrations and plug-in hybrid EVs on 351 were ahead of April’s totals of 2,598 and 177 respectively. The plug-in MG HS and hybrid RAV4 were best-sellers in their segments with 54 and 666 units.