Car Sales up 6.5% in January 2012

[Fides]

The figures are a bit of a surprise given the ending of the scrappage scheme.

The number of new goods vehicles are also up 11.7% and on the face of it suggest greater activity.

The reality is we are in a two speed economy and it depends which bit you are in - export oriented or domestic.
The only people I knew who bought new cars last year were over the age of 70! I don't know anyone so far this year

[robut]

Yes Fides,

You sort of pointed to a thought I was having. What is the demographic of those who are buying the new cars??

Retired on good packages and pension recently?

What size cars are being bought the most? Luxury or cheap to run small cars?

I will say that I am seeing alot more 2012 cars on the road start of this year as opposed to start of 2011. I keep forgetting to look in the window to see "age" of driver

Also - 85% of people are still working, quiet a few in multinational well paid jobs and the Irish household deposits in Irish banks was recently listed at about €91 Billion.

Robut

[Fides]

Yes Fides,

You sort of pointed to a thought I was having. What is the demographic of those who are buying the new cars??

Retired on good packages and pension recently?

What size cars are being bought the most? Luxury or cheap to run small cars?

I will say that I am seeing alot more 2012 cars on the road start of this year as opposed to start of 2011. I keep forgetting to look in the window to see "age" of driver

Also - 85% of people are still working, quiet a few in multinational well paid jobs and the Irish household deposits in Irish banks was recently listed at about €91 Billion.

Robut

SIMI : National Vehicle Statistics

Check out the link, you can see which cars sold in January 2012 (it's an excel spreadsheet). No Porsches! Quite a few BMWs, Audis and Mercs but the majority are Toyotas, Fords, Volkswagons and the like.

It would probably make sense to see how the first few months go before making judgement for the year.