‘Strong month’ for new sector
New vehicle registrations rose by 22 per cent year-on-year in September to 17,055 vehicles, with growth across the passenger and commercial segments.
Passenger registrations increased 27.9 per cent, light commercials were up 2.6 per cent, and heavy commercials climbed by 17.6 per cent.
The Motor Industry Association (MIA) says registrations year-to-date are now 11.4 per cent ahead of 2025, led by a 16.7 per cent increase for passenger vehicles alone.
Aimee Wiley, chief executive, adds delayed arrivals from August being registered in September and a high level of rental vehicle registrations helped bolster the overall results.
“September was a strong month, with growth extending beyond passenger vehicles into the commercial segments,” explains Wiley, pictured.
“Passenger vehicles remain the main driver of growth this year, while September’s improvement in commercial registrations is encouraging after several softer months.
“The strong performance this year for rental vehicles is a positive indicator for the tourism sector, as rental companies expand their fleets ahead of the summer tourism season.”
In the passenger market, registrations of battery EVs (BEVs) totalled 2,593 last month, up from 608 a year earlier, while plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) rose from 388 to 1,203. Together, BEVs and PHEVs represented 28.7 per cent of passenger registrations, compared with 9.6 per cent in September 2025.
Rental vehicle registrations accounted for 4,752 registrations, up 33 per cent year-on-year and representing one-third of passenger vehicle registrations in September.
The MIA notes this continues a positive trend for rental vehicles, with 10,751 registrations year-to-date a jump of 31 per cent from the same period in 2025.
September’s number of private buyers was up 20 per cent year on year and every second consumer registration was a BEV or PHEV.
Wiley says passenger BEV registrations for the past nine months are up 178.4 per cent from the same period in 2025, while PHEVs are up 166.6 per cent. Petrol and diesel passenger registrations are down 14.1 per cent.
“The September data shows customers continuing to embrace a broader range of motive power options, particularly battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles,” she adds.
