New car registrations in Laois increase by 11%

THE Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has released its official new vehicle registrations statistics for 2025.

According to the organisation, total new car registrations for 2025 reached 124,954, representing a three per cent increase when compared to 2024 (121,316).

In Laois, there were 1,582 new car registrations in 2025, an increase of 10.55 per cent on the 2024 figure of 1,431. This is the second highest percentage change nationally, after Carlow.

Figures show that, nationally, petrol remains popular despite a decline on the previous year, with the engine type enjoying a 2025 market share of 25.11 per cent.

Hybrid accounted for 22.48 per cent, electric 18.89 per cent, diesel 17.09 per cent and plug-in hybrid 14.82 per cent.

Electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles have gained momentum, accounting for over 56 per cent of the market; 23,601 new electric cars were registered in 2025, an increase of 35.1 per cent from the 17,460 registrations seen in 2024.

In Laois, there were 295 new electric car registrations in 2025, a marked increase of 73.53 per cent on the 2024 figure (170).

The hatchback continues to remain Ireland’s top-selling car body type of 2025. Grey has retained the top-selling colour title for the tenth year running.

Brian Cooke, SIMI director general, said: “The new car market in 2025 finished in line with projections, as new car registrations reached 124,954 units, an increase of three per cent on 2024.

“Light commercial vehicles sales were seven per cent ahead of last year, while HGV registrations were down five per cent on 2024. Battery-electric cars reached 23,601 units, an increase of 35 per cent on 2024, the highest level of sales annually, surpassing the previous record year of 2023, with an increase in registrations in every county.

“This, along with the increase in plug-in hybrid registrations, meant that Ireland comfortably surpassed its 2025 climate action plan targets. Hybrid-electric vehicles also continued to gain momentum in 2025, while traditional fuels (petrol and diesel) have seen a decline in their market share.

“The 261 sales period has now commenced and the Irish motor industry is optimistic for the year ahead. Retailers and manufacturers have a variety of offers and different models available for both new and used cars to suit all buyers, making it a good time to shop around.” New light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations in 2025 saw an increase of seven per cent (32,779) compared to 2024 (30,669). New heavy commercial vehicle registrations (HGV) decreased by 5.1 per cent (2,715) in comparison to 2024 (2,862).

Imported used cars saw 71,813 registrations in 2025, an increase of 16.6 per cent on 2024 (61,583).

Automatic transmissions accounted for 75.25 per cent of the market share in 2025, while manual transmissions have declined to 24.73 per cent.