Figures released for new cars registration in September show these are down over 30 per cent from the same month last year.
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) statistics showed that last month there were 2,259 new cars registered, down 34.67 per cent on September 2008 (3,458). The year to date figure, at 55,136, is down 63 per cent on the figure to end of September 2008(149,059).
Imported used car registrations for September fell 33.29 per cent to 3,428 from 5,139 in September 2008. For the year to September, at 42,285, imported used cars are 18.71 per cent down on the same period last year (42,285).
In the light commercial vehicle sector, registrations for September 2009 (645) are down 35.05 per cent on the same period last year (993), the year to date figure at 8,372 is 70.40 per cent down on the first nine months of last year (28,285).
Heavy vehicle registrations are also down by 62.68 per cent (78) compared to September 2008 (209) and are down 71.84 per cent for the year to date compared to the same time frame in 2008.
Commenting on the September figures, SIMI financial director Brian Cooke said: “We have been running at 63 per cent behind last year so 33 per cent down in September might appear to be somewhat of an improvement but this is not actually the case.
"The September figure needs to be viewed in the context of the sudden deterioration that occurred in September 2008 which was 47 per cent down on September 2007. The year to date analysis shows new car sales to be still 63 per cent 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," Mr Cooke said.
He pointed out a recent economic study into the motor industry by economist Peter Bacon noted the knock-on effect this has on other sectors in the economy, such as transport services, post and communications, and insurance business services.
Predicting that that some 8,000 to 10,000 further jobs are at serious risk, Mr Cooke called on the Government to introduce a scrappage scheme in January 2010.
"A scrappage scheme is a ‘no brainer’. It benefits the consumer, the Government the industry and most particularly thousands of employees in every town across the country," he said.
The SIMI statistics are taken from the Quarterly National Household Survey 2007 Q4 to 2009 Q2.