Estate car sales in Ireland up 160 per cent

ESTATE car sales in Ireland are on the rise with increased sales of 160 per cent since 2009.

The Estate segment is forecasted to expand even further by 990 vehicles in 2014 compared to 2013 (2,532 forecasted this year compared to 1,509 last year).

Å koda refers to estate cars as Combis, sales of which are also very much on the increase. The popular Octavia Combi has increased sales of 47 per cent over the first six months of 2014 which also reflects the general growth in the segment. Displaying similar growth levels, the Superb Combi has sold 49 per cent more vehicles than the same period last year.

The Å koda Superb Combi (Estate) was recently awarded the most satisfying estate car to live with, according to owners in the latest Which? Car Survey with the car also topping the poll of the most searched for estate car on the Which? website.

Ireland still has a long way to go to reach European levels as hatch and saloon models still account for the vast majority of sales with only one in ten Octavias sold in Estate versions. In countries such as Sweden, Germany and Italy Octavia Combi vehicles form the majority of sales with up to 60 per cent of total sales compared to hatchbacks/saloons.

Raymond Leddy, Head of Marketing & Product, Å koda Ireland said:

“While Ireland is still behind the European trend, Combi sales are on the up.

“The main reasons for the increase in sales can be attributed to the fact that Estate vehicles have become much more attractive and stylish.

“Cost wise there is now little or no difference in Co2 and road taxes. There is also a large increase in outdoor activities – water sports and cycling especially which are accommodated by additional boot capacity and functional roof rails.

?