Car sales for the first eight months of the year were more than 16 per cent higher than in 1997 with demand for certain luxury models leading the pack.
A total of 668 new Alfa Romeos were sold up to the end of August, compared to 297 for the whole of 1997.
Mercedes sales were up by almost 1,000, while Jaguar, MG and Porsche made 97, 59 and 24 new sales respectively, according to the latest figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry.
All the major manufacturers were also up on previous years with the exception of Volkswagen/Audi whose sales fell by roughly 900 compared to the same period last year. A company spokesman said the fall was due to problems with supply and delays in the launch of new models.
The figures show sales of light commercial vehicles during August were up by 51 per cent compared to last year. For the year to end of August, 21,735 light commercial vehicles were sold, an increase of 39 per cent. Sales of heavy commercial vehicles are up 21.52 per cent to 3,439.
