Ireland July 2026: Skoda Octavia signs first win in almost a year, BYD breaks ranking and volume records

The Skoda Octavia is the best-selling vehicle in Ireland in July.

The biannual licence plate change traditionally brings the 2nd strongest volume of the year below January, with July sales in Ireland up 8.6% year-on-year to 29,040. This leads to a year-to-date tally up 5.3% to 114,222. Toyota (+1.1%) returns to the top spot it holds year-to-date with 13.5% share, just above Volkswagen (+5.2%) at 13.2%. #1 at an extravagant 35.6% share last month, Tesla (-56.5%) falls to #30 in July with 0.3% share. Skoda (-2.9%) and Hyundai (-6.7%) struggle below while Kia (+5.2%) trails the market but is up six spots on June to round out the Top 5. BYD (+114.5%) is up to #6 with 1,167 sales which are both new records. MG (+275.4%), Xpeng (+252.,4%), Citroen (+51%) and Ford (+47.6%) stand out below. 

Model-wise, the Skoda Octavia (-10.6%) climbs to pole position despite fall year-on-year for its first win since August 2025. The next 6 models all beat the market, with the VW T-Roc (+42.2%) the most dynamic followed by the Toyota C-HR (+38.6%), VW ID.4 (+29.7%), VW Tiguan (+20.3%), Hyundai Kona (+16.5%) and Toyota Corolla (+16.4%). Outside the Top 10, the BYD Sealion 7 (+322.6%), Renault Megane (+204.7%), Toyota bZ4X (+160.7%) and Audi Q3 (+117.5%) all stun.

Previous month: Ireland June 2026: Tesla at 35.6% share, Mercedes CLA in Top 10

One year ago: Ireland July 2025: Hyundai Tucson stays on top despite -37.6% fall

Full July 2026 Top 40 All brands and Top 252 All models below.