New car sales in April rose by more than 36 per cent over the same month last year. The April figures represent 12,926 cars, compared to 9,536 in April 1995. Car sales, to date at 60,453, are up 33 per cent on last year.

The chief executive of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, Mr Cyril McHugh, said last night the car scrappage scheme had played a vital role in the increase in sales. Almost 7,400 new cars have been sold this year under this scheme, he said.