SIMI president says introduction of ‘split year’ registration has been crucial

The motor industry in Ireland has been told to look to the future with renewed confidence, with sales of both new and second-hand cars picking up, helped in no small part by the introduction of the new ‘split year’ registration plate.

Speaking at the Society of the Irish Motor Industry’s annual dinner in Dublin last Friday night, society president, James Brookes, said that consumer confidence, coupled with the availability of finance, has given a lift for the industry.

Stating that the Industry had turned a corner, he acknowledged that the second registration plate was a contributing factor which now gives the Industry a second sales peak each year. He thanked all involved in delivering this better system. He also noted the Industry’s work in areas such as End of life Vehicles (ELVES) the structural repair of vehicles (CSS) and Commercial Vehicle Testing (VTN).

Commenting on the increase in passenger car sales – up 32% so far this year – and Light commercial vehicles sales, which are up 70%, Mr Brooks noted that consumers are starting to spend again.

However registrations in the HGV market are off to a slow start for a variety of reasons, amongst which, the implementation of a new type approval processes is slowing down registrations, and this is a cause for concern. It is hoped that additional resources will be delivered urgently to solve the current situation as quickly as possible, he said.

He also complimented the Road Safety Authority for its work in relation to the standards of vehicles on our roads and underlined how crucial this is.

“Last year, 51% of cars failed their NCT test, only 30% of cars fail their first NCT at four year’s old but at nine years old, almost 70% fail. Almost 700,000 cars failed the NCT last year so at any point in time a significant number of cars on the road are likely to be unsafe,” he said.

He suggested that it should be illegal to sell tyres below a minimum tread depth and the same should apply to those on used cars being sold, no matter who is selling it. It would also make sense to require a new full NCT Cert at the point when a used car is of being sold to a new owner. He emphasised that SIMI is committed to working with the RSA in relation to such safety projects.

“The Industry itself has an obligation to do something to help improve the safety of older cars on our roads. We have all been touched by the consequences of fatal accidents, it’s not about business; it’s about saving lives,” he said.