THERE WAS a 10 per cent rise in the number of new cars registered in May compared to the same month last year, new figures show.

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry said there were 9,471 new cars registered last month compared to 8,580 in May 2010. Some 66,108 cars have been sold so far this year, an 11.8 per cent increase on last year. Light commercial vehicles accounted for 1,277 cars sold – up 13 per cent on 2010. Toyota is the top- selling marque, accounting for just over 13.5 per cent of the new-car market. It is followed by Volkswagen, Ford, Renault and Nissan.