SALES of new cars continued to improve in Northern Ireland last month, but the industry is still performing well below 2019 levels.
There were 3,478 new cars registered here in February 2023, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
It marked a 28 per cent jump on February 2022, when 2,713 new motors rolled out of northern forecourts and just 2 per cent behind February 2020, when 3,558 were sold.
While the SMMT data shows sales are continuing to improve month-on-month in Northern Ireland, the 8,165 new cars sold in the first two months of 2023 was 1,382 less than the same two months in 2019, when 9,547 new vehicles were registered here.
The motor trade body said the continued growth in sales was largely the result of an easing of global supply chain shortages.
The Nissan Juke was the best-selling new car in Northern Ireland during February, with 130 registered.
The SMMT’s top ten included the Ford Fiesta (122), Vauxhall Mokka (99), Hyundai Tucson (92), Ford EcoSport (91), Ford Puma (82), Toyota CHR (79), Ford Focus (74), Renault Captur (67) and Kia Sportage (65).
The list reflects the growing popularity of fuel efficient and hybrid motors.
UK-wide registrations of hybrid electric vehicles were 40 per cent higher in February than during the same month in 2022. The market share for pure electrics was 16.5 per cent.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes urged the British Government to reflect the rising number of hybrid and electric vehicles with appropriate measures in next week’s Budget.
"As we move into new plate month in March, with more of the latest hi-tech cars available, the upcoming Budget must deliver measures that drive this transition, increasing affordability and ease of charging for all," he said.
