Changing dynamics of Irish motor industry in a decade

The number of new private cars licensed in Ireland for the first time was totalled 160,908 having dropped from 225,269 the previous year. A decade later it dropped by a further 46% to 86,932 new cars licensed for the first time in 2011.

The changes were characterised by fairly dramatic changes:

Six marques disappeared altogether as being seperately listed - Alfa Romeo, Austin/Rover, Daewoo, Daihatsu, Izuzu and Saab - accounting for 8,553 units of the reduction.

There were three new arrivals, Cheverolet, Kia and Lexus which sold 3,418 units

Audi, Skoda and 'other makes' between them added 1,799 units in 2011 over what they sold in 2001.

Those marques that lost more than 46% include Citroen, Honda, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Seat and Suzuki which collectively lost 25,054 units.

The marques which, relatively speaking, maintained popularity over the decade, insofar as the market decline was less than 46%, include BMW, Ford, Hyandai, Mazda, Mercedes-benz, Nissan, Opel, Renault, Suburu, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo but who, between them ropped volume 45,586 new cars.