New car sales in Northern Ireland ramped up once again last month as the supply logjam caused by the semiconductor shortage continued to ease.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said a total of 3,432 new cars were registered in the province last month, a 6.8% jump on the same time last year. The trend was replicated across the UK with sales climbing by 8% in Wales, 11% in England and over 21% in Scotland.
Behind much of the improved performance is the fact lead times on new cars have shortened considerably. A slowdown in the global production of semi-conductors - a vital element in modern car manufacture – as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic meant new car buyers were having to wait months and in some cases years for delivery of their new vehicle, a situation which was reflected in relatively weak new car registrations in recent months.
