The total number of new cars sold in Ireland during 2025 increased marginally by 3.0% to 124,777 units compared to 2024. Demand for vehicles remained robust, evidenced by the 71,754 used imports registered during the year, a 16.5% increase on 2024. Looking ahead, Škoda Ireland projects a more optimistic outlook for 2026, with a passenger car market of 130,000 units considered achievable. In terms of market trends, 2025 marked a significant rebound year for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), with a record 23,557 units registered, an increase of 35% compared to 2024, accounting for 19% of all vehicles sold. Notably, electric vehicle sales exceeded diesel car sales for the first time.
The shift towards electric mobility was further reinforced by strong growth in Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs), with 18,514 units registered, up 53% on 2024 and now representing 15% of total vehicle sales. The PHEV segment is expected to continue expanding into 2026, supported by the arrival of new market entrants and longer-range models such as the Škoda Superb, which offers an electric driving range of over 130 kilometres on the WLTP cycle. While diesel-powered vehicle sales increased in 2024, they recorded the largest decline of any powertrain in 2025, falling by 23%. Škoda maintained its leadership position in the diesel segment, increasing its market share from 26% in 2024 to 32% in 2025, supported by its Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) initiative.
Small and medium SUVs continued to dominate the market, accounting for 55% of all sales, while traditional petrol-powered vehicles represented 25%. Manual transmissions have increasingly become a casualty of the transition to electrification, with automatic transmissions accounting for 75% of all vehicles registered in 2025, compared to 66% in 2024. With stricter emissions regulations favouring automatic transmissions, manual gearboxes are expected to become increasingly rare over the next five years.
Irish car buyers colour preferences remained consistent, with grey/silver leading at 38% of sales (48,364 units), followed by black at 21% (25,702 units). This ranking has remained unchanged since data collection began in 2008. Red and white showed slight declines, while brown and yellow recorded modest increases, albeit from a very small base. Consumers now enjoy more choice than ever, with ten new car brands introduced to the Irish market over the past five years. In total, 43 different car brands were registered in Ireland during 2025, with further new entrants expected in 2026. Toyota was the top-selling passenger car brand in Ireland in 2025, followed by Volkswagen, Škoda, Hyundai, and Kia. The Hyundai Tucson and Škoda Octavia were the best-selling models overall.
Commenting on the 2025 results, John Donegan, Brand Director at Škoda Ireland, said:
“We are very optimistic for 2026, with record levels of orders, particularly for fully electric vehicles. We are confident of maintaining at least our third-place market position in 2026 as we continue to work towards overall market leadership. The indicators are very positive: inflation is under control and unemployment remains low. A total market of 130,000 new vehicles next year is achievable. The Škoda brand has enjoyed its most successful year in the Irish market, with 12,248 vehicles delivered to customers, representing a 9.8% market share. This momentum will continue into 2026, supported by improved availability of Plug-in Hybrid Kodiaq and Superb models, as well as our fully electric Enyaq and Elroq. The industry is changing at a faster pace than ever before. Electrification, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence will present both challenges and opportunities in the years ahead. I would like to thank our dealer network and customers for their continued support throughout 2025 and wish them a prosperous New Year.”
