How many new cars were registered in Ireland in October?
In October, 2,501 new cars found owners (or at least were given number plates), compared with 2,180 in the same month last year. Most of that increase was driven by electric cars, which saw a 55 per cent increase in registrations compared with October last year, and which have risen by 57 per cent so far this year. Overall, new car registrations have risen by 6 per cent compared with 2025 so far, with 130,754 new cars registered up to the end of October.
Are electric cars now the most popular new cars in Ireland?
Pretty much, yes. When it comes to the share of the total car market, electric cars lead with 27.74 per cent, followed by hybrids on 23.54 per cent, petrol with 19.43 per cent, plug-in hybrids on 14.99 per cent, and diesel on 12.31 per cent.
Read our guide covering every electric car on sale in Ireland.
Emma Mitchell, Operations Director of SIMI, said: "Demand for new battery electric vehicles remained strong in October, helped by government support and market offerings. 1,092 units were registered, compared to 706 in October 2025. Year-to-date BEV sales reached 36,270 units, a 57% increase on the same period last year. Growth is being seen across the country, including strong increases in both urban and rural areas, with 61% of new electric cars registered outside Dublin this year. BEVs are now the most popular powertrain for Irish new car buyers so far this year."
What are the best-selling new cars in Ireland this year?
Toyota has continued its dominance of the Irish new car market in 2026, and it remains the best-selling brand overall, followed by Volkswagen, Skoda, Hyundai, and Kia. The best-selling car so far this year is still the Toyota Yaris Cross, and that's followed by the Hyundai Tucson, the Skoda Octavia, the Kia Sportage, and the Skoda Kodiaq. The best-selling electric brand is Kia, followed by VW, Hyundai, Tesla, and Skoda, while the best-selling electric model is still the VW ID.4, followed by the Tesla Model Y, the Skoda Enyaq, the Tesla Model 3, and the Skoda Elroq. The best-selling car of any type in October was the VW ID.4.
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