11 July 2001: Retail car prices in Ireland were 28% higher than the average retail prices for 19 European countries, leaving us fourth from the top in the European Retail Price Index behind Denmark (82% above average), Norway (64%) and Finland (28%). Ireland was followed by Portugal (25%), Britain (18%) and the Netherlands (14%).

Countries on the average were Poland, Germany and Switzerland, while the Czech Republic at -8% was the country with the lowest prices.

Prices dropped in France and Greece compared to the previous month, and rose in Italy, Spain, Sweden, germany, poland, Hungary, Britain, Finland, Norway and Denmark. However, pre-tax prices of new vehicles continue to decline in real terms with the nominal rise of 1% in prices becoming an actual fall of 2.5% when changes in specification, volume/mix and currency are taken into account.

The European Retail Price Index is produced by Credit Suisse First Boston and full details are available at eurocarprice.com BT