The market for new cars in Northern Ireland ticked higher last year as the strain on global supply chains eased but the market is still some way off regaining its pre-pandemic lustre.
Latest data from industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed a total of 36,616 new cars were registered in the province for the full year 2022, a 4.8% increase on the previous year but still down 26% on the last pre-pandemic year in 2019. The 2022 figure was boosted by a strong end to the year with December recording a one third annual jump in sales, the highest increase of all UK regions.
The increase was attributed to the fact choked supply chains in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic have begun to ease, meaning delayed deliveries of new cars are finally being fulfilled.
