Car sales figures 'cannot sustain current level of employment'
Figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry has today raised new fears for the future of up to 10,000 jobs in the motoring sector.
The numbers of new cars registered in September 2009 was down 34.67% compared to the same month last year, according to figures released today.
A total of 2,259 cars were registered last month, compared to 3,458 in September 2008.
The year to date figure, at 55,136, is down 63.01% on the figure to end of September 2008 (149,059).
"We have been running at 63% behind last year so 33% down in September might appear to be somewhat of an improvement but this is not actually the case," said SIMI financial director, Brian Cooke.
"The September figure needs to be viewed in the context of the sudden deterioration that occurred in September 2008 which was 47% down on September 2007.
"The year to date analysis shows new car sales to be still 63% down on 2008, a level which cannot sustain the current level of employment in the motor sector.
"Our industry has continued to haemorrhage jobs with the number of jobs lost now totalling more than 10,000 since January 2008.
"Employers in the sector have been struggling to carry thousands of jobs on a trickle of business in the hope that we can emerge into a better market environment but we are extremely worried about the outlook for January next as the forecast looks no better than this year’s volumes.
"If, as anticipated, there is no pick-up in the first quarter next year then some 8,000 to 10,000 further jobs are at serious risk, unless urgent action is taken by the Government to stimulate the market.
"What is needed immediately is an announcement by the Government that a scrappage scheme will be introduced for January 2010."
Light Commercial Vehicle registrations for September 2009 (645) are down 35.05% on the same period last year (993), the year to date figure at 8,372 is 70.40% down on the first nine months of last year (28,285). Heavy Vehicle registrations are down 62.68% (78) compared to September 2008 (209) while they are down 71.84% (970) for the year to date compared to the same period in 2008 (3445).
