Ireland January 2021: Hyundai Tucson best-seller, market down -19.3%

The Hyundai Tucson is the most popular new vehicle in Ireland in January. Picture completecar.ie

Because of a bi-annual license plate system indicating the year of registration, January is traditionally the strongest month of the year in Ireland, accounting for roughly 30% of annual sales. The market starts in a paltry manner with sales down -19.3% year-on-year in January to 25.161 units. Toyota (-12.4%) resists better than the market and is up to the first spot in the brands ranking just as Hyundai (-19.3%) also gains one spot on its FY2020 ranking to #2 overall above Volkswagen (-20.5%). Ford (-2.2%) holds up really well in 4th place above Skoda (-13.5%) also gaining share. Peugeot (+3.4%) scores the only year-on-year gain in the Top 10 at #8 whereas Renault (-47.7%) and Nissan (-33%) struggle mightily. Further down the ladder, Ssangyong (+325%), Citroen (+46.7%), Opel (+32.2%) and Mini (+13.6%) all impress with great upticks while newcomers MG (#26) and Cupra (#27) both fit within the Top 30.

Model-wise, the Hyundai Tucson (+19.1%) sprints to the pole position thanks partly to a new generation, dislodging the leader the past two years, the Toyota Corolla (-22.6%). Note the Tucson was #1 annually in Ireland from 2016 to 2018. The Toyota RAV4 (+32.3%) also posts a fantastic result this month, up 12 spots on its FY2020 ranking to #3 overall. In fact Toyota places four nameplates in the Top 6 with the Yaris (-13.5%) and C-HR (-16.1%) also outpacing the market, as does the VW Golf (-14.1%) at #8. Recently launched or renewed, the Ford Kuga (+6125%), Puma (+351.2%) and Peugeot 2008 (+406.3%) impress further down. The best-selling new launch (<12 months) is the Skoda Kamiq (#40) above the VW ID.3 (#56).

Previous post: Ireland Full Year 2020: Toyota Corolla repeats at #1, VW ID.3 wins two months in market down -24.6%

One year ago: Ireland January 2020: Toyota (+53.2%) eclipses Hyundai and Volkswagen in market down -3.5%

Full January 2021 Top 35 All-brands and Top 210 All-models below.