UP to 50,000 jobs are at risk in the motoring industry as new car sales have plummeted amid the coronavirus crisisUP to 50,000 jobs will have to be protected in the motor industry in the wake of the devastating impact the corona virus has had on new-car sales, the government has been told. They have nosedived in the past fortnight in particular, pushing down sales for March by nearly two-thirds, according to latest official SIMI figures. New-car registrations for March were down 63pc - to a mere 6,174 - when compared with the corresponding period for last year (16,687). While showrooms, service and other activities within the industry are closed, members are available to assist in emergency call-out or delivery services. Diesel-car sales held a 43.86pc market share with petrol on 38.42pc, hybrid 12.17pc, electric 3.2pc and plug-in hybrid 2.02pc.

Source: Irish Independent April 01, 2020 11:47 UTC