Economic recovery spreading as vehicle sales continue to rise – Griffin

“The economic recovery is beginning to be felt by more families and businesses across the country as sales of vehicles increased again in October”, says Fine Gael TD for Kerry and Member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Brendan Griffin.
“Sales of new private cars between January and October 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 have increased by 31.6%, while sales of new goods vehicles jumped by 41.8%.
“In 2014, 89,976 new cars were sold between January and October, while this year that number has risen to 118,389. Vehicle sales are closely linked to consumer confidence and these increases show that people feel they are in a position to upgrade their car and that many are buying brand new vehicles.
“The sales of goods vehicles are even more indicative of the strength of the economy as they show that businesses have the confidence to invest in their future and that they have more people on the road. Last year 14,861 goods vehicles were sold in the first ten months of the year, in 2015 this figures has increased by 41.8% to 21,077.
“Companies who rely on transport to do their business have also received a boost in Budget 2016 with the news that commercial motor tax rates are to be reduced significantly.
“The number of tax bands will be reduced from 20 to 5 and will range in cost from €90 to €900 per year, down from a maximum cost of €5,195. These changes, which will benefit over 28,500 commercial vehicles, will come into effect from 1st January 2016.
“The top priority for this Government is to keep the recovery going in all parts of the country. This includes driving the local economy by supporting businesses who rely on transport to provide a service.”