David Shannon, Managing Director, Toyota Ireland, commenting on the announcement that Toyota is the number 1 brand in the Irish Passenger Car Market for the first 6 months of the year, with a market share of 12.7%, welcomed the announcement and said it reflected the brand's strength in depth.

"It is very gratifying for Toyota Ireland to maintain the Number 1 position in the Irish car market for the first 6 months of the year.  Over the past 10 years Toyota has been number 1 in the Irish marketplace more than any other brand and it is undoubtedly a very positive and reassuring position to attain for ourselves, our dealers and our customers. However, we have long maintained that being Number 1 is not an end in itself and should never be seen as such. Rather, it is a reflection of the strength of the model range and level of service provided by Toyota Ireland and its Dealer network. It is also a reflection of the extraordinary loyalty of customers, of all ages, to the brand.  While Toyota has vast examples of customers on their 10th straight Toyota, the brand's level of new or 'conquest' customers is now exceptionally strong and continues to grow year on year.

"In terms of the market we do notice, and would be concerned about, an increasing level of 'pre-registered' vehicles. The practise of relying on it for a significant proportion of a brand's sales is unhealthy and ultimately will negatively effect the residual value of brands subjected to it. While the short term market is difficult, down 13.5% on the first 6 months of last year, it is not in anybody's long term interest, distributors, dealers or, most importantly,  the customer to distort it by inflating short term sales of particular models."