Registrations of new cars in Northern Ireland slumped by nearly 7% on this time a year ago, according to figures from industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Its data shows that 4,841 new vehicles were registered in January, which compares to 5,199 during the same four weeks of 2024.
The Kia Sportage again topped the monthly list of new models leaving showrooms in the north, followed by the Peugeot 3008, Nissan qashqai, Volkswagen T-Roc and Hyundai Tucson.
And making it into the top 10 again is the MG HS, the evolution of the brand’s large SUV delivering an extensive range of new features, increased cabin space and enhanced styling.
In the UK as a whole, car sales fell by 2.5% last month to 139,345, with only Scotland showing a marginal increase over the month.
The fall in sales was driven by a 15.3% drop in deliveries of petrol cars.
There was a 41.6% spike in the uptake of pure battery electric cars, resulting in a market share of 21.3%.
Under the zero-emission vehicle (Zev) mandate, at least 28% of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK this year must be zero-emission, which generally means pure electric.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “January’s figures show EV demand is growing, but not fast enough to deliver on current ambitions.
“Affordability remains a major barrier to uptake, hence the need for compelling measures to boost demand, and not just from manufacturers.
“The application, therefore, of the expensive car supplement to VED (vehicle excise duty) on electric vehicles is the wrong measure at the wrong time.
“Rather than penalising EV buyers, we should be taking every step to encourage more drivers to make the switch, helping meet Government, industry and societal climate change goals.”
From April 1, drivers of EVs will need to pay VED for the first time.
This will be £195 per year for most people affected, but drivers of new electric cars with a list price exceeding £40,000 will be charged up to £620 per year because of the expensive car supplement.
Dan Caesar, chief executive of lobby group Electric Vehicles UK, said: “At this growth rate, the UK would be on track for a greater than 25% BEV (battery electric vehicle) market share.
“But with the best sales likely at year end due to the Zev mechanism, and more affordable EVs launching, we believe the 28% target is achievable.”
The top 10 new car registrations in the north in January are:
1 Kia Sportage
2 Peugeot 3008
3 Nissan qashqai
4 Volkswagen T-Roc
5 Hyundai Tucson
6 MG HS
7 Peugeot 2008
8 Volkswagen Golf
9 Nissan Juke
10 Ford Puma
