Business
New car sales were down by 20% for November
The latest new car stats from SIMI (Society of the Irish Motor Industry) show that the sale of new cars was down 20% in November, compared to last year. So far, for the year, sales of new cars are down by 6.5%.
The commercial vehicle market is up with vans up 34% in November (up 2% for year) and trucks up 123% in November (up 24% for year).
Speaking about the latest figures, Alan Nolan, SIMI’s Director General said: “While November sales are always very low (703 cars, 380 vans and 78 trucks) the year to date total gives us a better picture of where we are. This shows the new car market down 6.5% on last year and as predicted, the full year sales will finish somewhere around 74,500.
“On the other hand, activity in the commercial vehicle sector, which is often an indication of the overall health of the economy, has been a bit more positive with an increase in the sale of both vans and trucks which is a good sign that there is some growth in this area.”
“As we look forward to the New Year and the 141 registration period in new car sales, there are strong indications of improved levels of activity. Dealers across the country are reporting an increase in showroom traffic compared to this time last year with orders for 141 registrations up on last year, so many in the Industry are more positive about the outlook for the first quarter of 2014”.
So far this year, Volkswagen is the top selling make followed by Toyota and Ford. The Volkswagen Golf is the best-selling car followed by the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Focus. 27% cars sold this year were petrol, 73% diesel with silver being is the most popular car colour.
For the year, van sales are up 3%, from 10,739 new vans last year to 11,007 so far this year. Ford is the best selling van make and the Ford Transit is the best selling model.
In the Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) sector so far this year, 1,666 new trucks have been sold, an increase of 24% on last year (1,342). Here Volvo is the best selling truck brand.
The new President of Local Ireland, the association representing local news publishers around the country, is Head of Irish Times Regionals Dan Linehan.
Mr Linehan takes over the presidency from Declan McGuire of the Connacht Tribune. His appointment was confirmed at the recent Annual General Meeting of Local Ireland at Bloomfield House Hotel near Mullingar, Westmeath.
Mr Linehan, who has served as Vice President of the organisation for the last two years, said: “The coming years are a very important time for local publishers with many important issues to be addressed, including the implementation of the Future of Media Commission recommendations, defamation reform, the role and support for local publishers in public service reporting and helping publishers develop commercial digital offerings.”
Speaking at the AGM, Mr McGuire acknowledged the work done by the Executive in the past two years under the direction of Executive Director, Bob Hughes, on several projects related to the publishing industry but most especially the successful conclusion of the long-running campaign for the abolition of VAT on newspapers.
He also wished Mr Linehan the very best in his new role as President of the association for the next two years.
Mr Hughes thanked Mr McGuire for his leadership and support during his term of office and said he looked forward to working with Mr Linehan on the key policy priorities for the association, including Government supports, Government advertising, fair remuneration for content from the tech platforms and the reform of the legislation for defamation.
Local Ireland members also elected Seán Mahon, Managing Director of the Southern Star, as Vice President for the next two years.
The shortage of affordable housing is the single biggest impediment in attracting and retaining workers in the West, according to business group Ibec.
At a ‘Regional Insights Series’ meeting in the Galmont Hotel in Galway last week, employers were told that capacity constraints and labour supply are the key challenges facing business growth in the region.
Ibec Head of Regional Policy Helen Leahy said: “There must be greater focus by government on enhancing quality of life issues such as housing and infrastructure which are driving labour shortages in the region.
“Ibec’s vision for the West is to realise its potential to become a globally competitive location. An inadequate supply of affordable housing is now the single largest impediment to attracting and retaining talented workers, without whom business investment and expansions are not possible.
“Labour shortages are a real concern for businesses in the region. People decide where to live and work based on quality of life and access to high quality services and amenities. Industry tends to follow talent, and in this regard, the region needs to have all the building blocks in place as the attraction and retention of world-class talent becomes increasingly competitive on a global level,” said Ms Leahy.
Amongst Ibec’s priorities for the West are:
- Addressing housing and infrastructure challenges
- Transitioning towards a new growth model with Net Zero energy powered by Atlantic offshore wind resources
- Adapting businesses to the new economic realities
- Enhancing capacity and skillsets to achieve sustainable development objectives
- Investment in people and skills
- Creating competitive advantage through digitalisation
- Innovation as a key driver of productivity growth
One in five Galway businesses want to go fully cashless, as the move towards card payments and tapping continues unabated post-Covid.
In all, 22% of Galway businesses would like to be fully cashless, according to a survey carried out by BOI Payment Acceptance (BOIPA), a provider of payment technology solutions, which asked Irish businesses about the current payment landscape as well as business confidence and concerns.
Over one-third (36%) of Galway businesses were unaware there is no contactless limit on mobile wallets – just below the national average – while 54% believe the increase in card over cash transactions has helped them run their business.
Six out of ten Galway businesses expect to grow this year despite the cost-of-living crisis and running costs dominating as key concerns; 62% believe their business will grow over the next twelve months despite global economic uncertainty.
Unsurprisingly cost-of-living increases and running costs were the main concerns the majority of businesses had.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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