Ireland Full Year 2017: Volkswagen back to #1, Hyundai Tucson repeats
The Hyundai Tucson is the best-selling nameplate in Ireland for the second year running.
* See the Top 35 All-brands and Top 275 All-models by clicking on the title *
Check out 44 years worth of Irish Historical Data here
The Irish new car market slumps down 10.4% year-on-year in 2017 to 131.356 registrations, with January (39.005) and July (27.710) the two largest months – being the ones inaugurating new license plates, accounting for 51% of annual sales vs. 47% in 2016. Ireland is by far the worst-faring European market in 2017, with the “next worse” being the UK (-5.7%). This year we were lucky enough to visit western Ireland, you can find the detailed Photo Report here. Volkswagen reclaims the brands crown it last held in 2015 despite dropping 10% to hold onto its 10.5% market share. That’s a better hold than any of the other Top 5 brands this year: Toyota (-18%), Ford (-16%), Hyundai (-23%) and Nissan (-13%) all lose market share vs. 2016. Skoda (-4%) and Renault (-1%) make the Top 6 unchanged on last year while Kia is the only Top 10 carmaker to post a sales hike at +6%, edging up one spot to #8. Outside the Top 10, Tesla (+629%), DS (+169%), Alfa Romeo (+128%), Mercedes (+28%), Jaguar (+18%), Seat (+18%), Fiat (+6%), Suzuki (+6%) and Land Rover (+4%) are the only brands in positive.
The arrival of the sedan variant propels the Renault Megane up 241% to #12.
The Hyundai Tucson manages to post a second consecutive year atop the annual Irish models charts despite a harsh 34% year-on-year drop, a testimony to how ruthless its 2016 domination was. The VW Golf also loses share with a 13% decline but remains at #2. The Nissan Qashqai (-9%) overtakes the Skoda Octavia (-15%) and Ford Focus (-20%) to snap the third spot while the Ford Fiesta (-16%) remains at #5. The Kia Sportage (+7%) and VW Tiguan (+52%) are the only Top 10 nameplates in positive, getting a 3-spot and 18-spot lift respectively. Below, the Renault Mégane (+241%) is boosted by the arrival of the sedan variant and leaps from #57 in 2016 to #12 this year, the Toyota C-HR ends its first full year in market at an excellent 15th place, the Nissan Micra is lifted up 29% and 15 spots to #22 and the Mercedes E Class up 54% and 21 ranks to #27, both thanks to new generations. The Skoda Kodiaq is the best-selling new launch for 2018 at #56 followed by the Suzuki Ignis at #123.
Previous month: Ireland November 2017: Skoda Kodiaq, Mini Clubman shine
Previous year: Ireland Full Year 2016: Hyundai Tucson signs historic win
Two years ago: Ireland Full Year 2015: VW Golf and Ford Focus in the lead
Full Year 2017 Top 35 All-brands and Top 275 All-models vs. Full Year 2016 figures below.
Full December 2017 Top 22 All-brands and Top 55 All-models below.
