Latest figures from the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee show July’s total declined by 21,742 sold units, and amounted to 109,410 cars.

Year to date a total of 781,605 cars were sold, down 14.4% on the figure of 913,181 for the first seven months of 2015.

Joerg Schreiber, chairman of the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee, commented: “Like it or not but the market as a whole is still nowhere near the shape needed to at least consolidate at last year’s modest level. Despite stable prices, high purchase incentives and continuing government support the basic problem is that there are only so many customers out there able or willing to spend money on a new car right now.

“Long-term demand however remains high and is in fact building up as purchase decisions are being postponed. It is just a matter of time for this demand to be unlocked; only not so clear is for how much longer we have to wait to see the turnaround.”