Car sales set for 145,000 in 2003

New car sales for July are expected to show the market down just over 6 per cent, with registration figures likely to reach 145,000 to 146,000 for the year overall. Figures for the six months to June showed the new car market down 6.5 per cent.

While registrations in the last 10 days of the month have not yet been calculated - a period in which significant numbers of new cars are registered - estimates for the first 20 days of July show Ford remain on top in terms of marques, with a provisional market share of 12.5 per cent for the year to date.

Its main rival for the crown of the best-selling Irish marque, Toyota, is recording a provisional market share of 11.5 per cent.

Both firms are vying for the top spot in a year when Ford is marking its centenary and Toyota Ireland is celebrating 30 years as Irish distributor.