Ireland 1999: Ford back to #1, Fiat Punto best-seller again

The Fiat Punto remains the #1 vehicle in Ireland in 1999.

New car sales in Ireland are up for the 6th year in a row in 1999 at +19.6% to 174.229 units which is believed to be a new all-time record for the country. Brand-wise, Ford (+19.6%) exactly matches the market to reclaims the pole position off Toyota (+14.8%) ending the year only 203 sales below. VW-Audi (+21.1%) climbs onto the podium, dislodging Opel (+10.7%), with the 4 carmakers fitting pithing one percentage point of market share, between 10.3% and 11.2%. Peugeot (+43.9%) scores the largest gain in the Top 10, with Nissan (+21.8%) also outpacing the market but Renault (-1.3%) the only one in decline. Notice also Daewoo up 17 spots to #13. Model-wise, the 2nd generation Punto (pictured above) is introduced and triggers a 4.5% uptick to 7.913 units, keeping the Punto nameplate as the nation’s favourite car with a strong 4.5% market share.

Full Year 1999 Top 33 All-brands ranking vs. Full Year 1998 figures below.