Irish car sales implode

Everybody knows 2009 was tough for the auto industry. American automakers saw their sales fall anywhere from 20% to 43% (with Chrysler faring the worst among U.S. manufacturers) from their sales levels of 2008. But Ireland had it even worse – much worse. RTE News reports that car sales in Ireland plunged a mind-numbing 62% in 2009 from the 2008 level. The Society of the Irish Motor Industry reports that less than 60,000 cars were bought in ’09, compared to more than 150,000 the previous year. Happily, RTE says, car dealers are now seeing “increased footfall” in their showrooms with the start of 2010.