Cork's 2025 car sales growth was above national average

More than 14,000 new cars were registered in Cork last year, with 16% of those registered electric, as Cork’s car sales grew faster than the national average, according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (Simi).

In Cork, 14,301 new cars were registered in 2025 — up 4.5% when compared to 13,692 in 2024 — higher than the 3% national increase.

Of these, 2,310 cars sold in Cork last year were electric, up 41.72% from the 1,630 in the previous year. This was again higher, on average, than the 35.1% increase recorded across Ireland.

Nationally, new car registrations for 2025 reached 124,954. Grey retained the top-selling colour for the 10th year running, followed by black and blue.

Market share for 2025 sees petrol accounting for 25.11%, hybrid 22.48%, electric 18.89%, diesel 17.09%, and plug-in hybrid 14.82%. Automatic transmissions rose to 75.25% of the market share.

Simi director general Brian Cooke said Ireland comfortably surpassed 2025 Climate Action Plan targets, adding: “The 261 sales period has now commenced, and the Irish motor industry is optimistic.”