Speaking at the event, Liam Denning, newly appointed President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, commented, “I am truly honoured to accept the role and do so with pride and responsibility. I look forward to representing our members and working closely with the SIMI in the coming year.” 

The SIMI President remarked on the pressures facing the industry – rising costs, staff attraction and retention, keeping abreast of technology – all within a challenging global environment. While acknowledging that electrification was now centre stage, and the whole industry has had to rapidly evolve to keep pace with the changing technology, through continuous training, upskilling, and equipment. 

Liam Denning, SIMI President, stated, “Despite positive market developments, the transition to electrification is only starting to gain traction. Currently, the national average vehicle age is over 10 years old, meaning the equity gap that allows consumers to trade up to a new or newer car is widening. If the EV project is to succeed, it must be supported through continued investment. This means investment in the national charging infrastructure, and continued support for consumers and businesses to encourage the change to electric.”

Additionally, the President outlined the importance of investment in people. “For companies and family businesses to thrive, we must attract and develop skilled workers for all sectors. Apprenticeship training is a key focus of the SIMI Management Board, and we will continue to support every effort to attract apprentices, offering young people a career in a high‑tech industry with great opportunities and promising futures”.

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New car registrations for February were up 7.4% (15,033) compared to February 2025 (13,994). Registrations year to date are up 4.3% (49,557) on the same period last year (47,493).

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) increased by 15% (3,635) compared to February last year (3,160). Year to date LCVs are up 19.3% (11,201). Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations are down 4.8% (277) in comparison to February 2025 (291). Year to date, HGVs are down 12.1% (669).

Imported Used Cars have seen a 36.5% (7,639) rise in February 2026, when compared to February 2025 (5,596). Year to date imports are up 40% (15,679) on 2025 (11,200).

In February 2,871 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was 14.4% higher than the 2,510 registrations in February 2025. So far this year, 10,172 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 36.9% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 7,433 electric cars were registered.

In the new car market share by engine type, Hybrid (Petrol Electric) leads at 27.26% as the most popular engine type, followed by Petrol 21.84%, Electric 20.53%, Plug-In Hybrid 14.51%, and Diesel 13.27%.

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, commenting:
“The positive start to the new car market this year has continued into February with 15,033 cars registered, a 7% increase compared to February last year. Year-to-date registrations increased by 4% on last year, with a total of 49,557 new cars registered. 

The move towards electric and hybrid cars is also reflected in the figures; Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) reached 2,871 units in February, a 14% increase on the same month last year, while year-to-date 10,172 new BEVs have been registered. Private consumers account for 75% of BEV sales and remain the main driver of sales, a trend seen across all counties. New Hybrid electric (HEV) and Plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) registrations have also seen continued growth for February. Battery technology cars (BEV, PHEV, HEV) combined market share now accounts for over 62% of registrations.

The commercial sector continues to experience mixed results. Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) saw an increase in February of 15%, while Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations saw a decrease of 5% on February last year.” 

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The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), in partnership with Bank of Ireland, announced the Irish Motor Industry Award Winners at the prestigious Clayton Hotel in Dublin on Thursday, 19th February.

Marty Whelan, master of ceremonies, revealed the winners in front of over 700 senior figures in the Motor Industry. Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, and Vinny Coghlan, Head of Asset and Motor Finance, Bank of Ireland, presented the awards.

An independent panel adjudicated the winners in six award categories, highlighting excellence and best practices in the Irish Motor Industry over the past year.

Category Award Winners include:
– Bodyshop of the Year: Collision Experts Galway East

– Vehicle Recovery Operator of the Year: Cartow.ie, Dublin

– Independent Sales Operation of the Year: Ashford Motors, Wicklow

– Independent Aftersales Operation of the Year: Service Stop Ltd, Dublin

– Franchised Aftersales Operation of the Year: Fitzpatrick’s Garage, Kildare

– Franchised Sales Operation of the Year: Fitzpatrick’s Garage Mercedes-Benz, Kildare

SIMI President Mark Woods congratulated this year’s award winners and nominees. Acknowledging the wide, diverse, and wonderful businesses that form the Irish Motor Industry.

Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) also announced the regional winners of the ZEVI EV Dealership of the Year awards. These awards recognise and reward excellence in the promotion and sale of electric vehicles (EVs) in Ireland.

ZEVI EV Dealership of the Year Regional Award Winners include:

– Fred Kilmartin Ltd Co. Galway, (Connacht)

– Fitzpatrick’s Garage, Naas, Co. Kildare (Leinster)

– Nyhan Motors. Co. Cork (Munster)

– Connolly’s Volkswagen Letterkenny Co. Donegal (Ulster)

Mr. Woods commented, “The automotive industry is undergoing a dramatic transformation. The shift to battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles is an exciting moment for our sector. Change on this scale brings increased costs, new regulatory demands, and a different way of doing business. This decarbonisation transition will be delivered through a combination of technologies: electric and hybrid vehicles, low-carbon fuels, and ongoing efficiency improvements across the entire fleet. Managing this transformation requires coordinated action from policymakers, infrastructure providers, energy suppliers, and industry, so that emissions continue to fall while maintaining affordable, practical, and accessible mobility for consumers and for businesses.”

Vinny Coghlan, Head of Asset and Motor Finance, Bank of Ireland, “Bank of Ireland is delighted to continue our sponsorship of the SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards. 2026 marks our 10th year of sponsorship, and this event serves as a reminder of the relentless dedication to customer excellence shown across every stage of the motor customer journey in the industry. Supporting the motor industry remains a key element of our strategy in Bank of Ireland, and we look forward to evolving and enhancing our customer journey to meet the needs of this dynamic sector.”

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The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) HAS released its official 261 new vehicle registration statistics for January. Reporting a positive start to the year for the Irish motor industry.

New car registrations for January were up 3.3% (34,604) compared to January 2025 (33,499).

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) increased by 21.6% (7,579) compared to January last year (6,234). Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations are down 16.6% (392) in comparison to January 2025 (470).

Imported Used Cars have seen a 43.5% (8,041) rise in January 2026, when compared to January 2025 (5,604).

In January 7,319 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was 48.7% higher than the 4,923 registrations in January 2025. This growth represents the highest number of electric car registrations to date.

In the new car market share by engine type, Hybrid (Petrol Electric) has taken the lead for the first time at 28.28% as the most popular engine type, followed by Electric 21.15%, Petrol 20.94%, Plug-In Hybrid 14.56%, and Diesel 12.48%.

Automatic transmissions account for 78.74% of market share, while manual transmissions continue to see a decline at 21.21%.

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, commenting:
 “2026 has started promisingly for the new car market. January, a key month for sales, saw 34,604 new cars registered, a 3% increase on the same month last year. The commercial sector experienced mixed results. Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) saw an increase of 22% while Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations saw a decrease of 17% on January last year.

Battery technology cars (BEV, PHEV, HEV) saw significant growth. Their market share accounted for nearly two-thirds of new car sales in January, with the combined market share of traditional petrol and diesel cars falling to 33%. Hybrid-electric vehicles are the most popular engine choice, taking the position as market leader for the first time.

The momentum in Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) sales from last year has carried over into January 2026.   BEV sales rose significantly in January with 7,319 units registered compared to 4,923 units last year, the highest monthly volume to date. Over one in five new cars registered in January were fully electric vehicles. Private consumers accounted for 75% of BEV sales, an 11% increase on last year. Government incentives, expanding EV model choices, and a greater range of price points are all helping consumers make the switch. If we want this emerging market to continue to expand, focus on infrastructure and Government supports will be key.”

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Mary Kennedy, Master of Ceremonies, welcomed an impressive panel of speakers, including Susan Russell, CEO of Retail Bank of Ireland, Helen Westby, Managing Director, BMW Group Ireland, and Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor & Columnist. The panel shared valuable insights into their careers, leadership, business, innovation, and their views on the future of work. Following the panel, guest speaker Dr. Maureen Gaffney, a distinguished Psychologist and author, delivered a captivating talk on resilience, understanding yourself, and female leadership.

As part of a sector review, SIMI carried out a survey of 120 women from across the industry to gather their perspectives before the event. Survey results found that over half (62%) of respondents have observed positive changes in the motor industry’s attitude towards women employees over the past 3 years. Almost 70% of respondents had seen an increase in the number of new female employees recruited.
While over half of respondents reported having the same opportunities for advancement as their male colleagues, it’s clear there is still scope for improvement.

Flexible working policies were ranked as the most supportive policy in respondents’ organisations. For the majority, these policies have had a positive impact on their working experience and career in the motor industry. While not all organisations currently offer flexible arrangements, this highlights an opportunity for the industry to extend these benefits more widely.

Emma Mitchell, Operations Director/Company Secretary SIMI “ Since the event’s inauguration, the industry has experienced enormous changes, Brexit, Covid, Government policy changes, VRT restructuring, and a transformation in the types of vehicles on our roads, from 73% of new registrations being diesel in 2014, compared with just 17% today. While BEVs have grown from less than 1% to 18%. These challenges are real, but so too are the opportunities to adapt and innovate. To ensure that our industry remains strong and resilient in the years ahead, we need a diverse workforce with greater female participation and opportunities in all our sectors. Although significant steps have been taken, there is room for improvement in organisation policies to recruit and retain employees.”
 
Karen Kennedy, Senior Sales & Relationship Manager – Motor, Corporate and Commercial Banking at Bank of Ireland, addressed attendees, “Bank of Ireland is proud to support Women@SIMI as it marks the 10^th anniversary of driving progress and inclusion in the motor industry. Over the past decade, we’ve witnessed a powerful shift with more women stepping into leadership roles, shaping strategy, and redefining what’s possible. As a bank committed to equality and innovation, we’re honoured to stand beside SIMI in championing a more diverse and dynamic future for the industry”. 

SIMI remains committed to promoting inclusion and empowerment within the Motor Industry.

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