Connaught Telegraph - County Mayo

Some articles from the Connaught Telegraph from 1996 to 1999

Visit the Connaught Telegraph website for up-to-date news from County Mayo.

 

Sales of new cars in Mayo to break the 4,000 mark in 1998

 

The buoyancy of the Mayo economy is reflected in the fact that a record number of over 4,000 new cars will have been sold in Mayo by the end of the year18 November 1998

 

By Tom Shiel

THE buoyancy of the local economy is reflected in the fact that a record number of over 4,000 new cars will have been sold in Mayo by the end of the year.

This reflects national trends and is an increase of about 300 vehicles -some 10-12 per cent on the 1998 figure - according to figures just released by the motor industry.

Toyota models are the biggest selling models on the Mayo market followed by Ford and Opel.

Nationally at the moment, new passenger car sales are running at 140,107- 15 per cent higher than those of 1997.

Sales of light commercial vehicles have also increased and heavy commercial vehicle sales in 1998 are up by 21 per cent on the 1997 figures.

New car sales in Galway are also well up this year to above the 8,400 mark . The smallest increase has been recorded in Leitrim, 796 to 883, reflecting the declining population there.

Although the market for new cars is excellent, it could be better, according to Cyril McHugh, Chief Executive of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).

Mr. McHugh has pointed out that it is now more important than ever for the Government to reduce the rate of VRT to a single rate of 20 per cent.

"Irish consumers pay 25 per cent more in post tax prices than the average", Mr. McHugh commented.

He added: "A reduction will generate more confidence in our own market, maintain employment levels and make Ireland more competitive in the European marketplace.

"Currently, £2.2 billion, or 13.75 per cent, of total Exchequer Revenue is being deposited in the Government coffers annually from motor related taxes. It is time for the motorist to gain a return".

 

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - November 1998