Registrations up 20% last month compared to August 2012

New car registrations were up 20 per cent last month compared to August last year, as the new 132 registration system seemed to continue to lift summer sales. A total of 3,698 new cars were registered last month, bringing the annual total to 68,544 so far this year.

That is still down nearly 8 per cent on the same eight-month period last year, however.

The best-selling car for the month was the BMW 5-Series, reflecting the continuing strong performance of the premium brands.

While Volkswagen remains the biggest-selling brand so far this year, both Audi and BMW feature in the top 10 in terms of volume sales.

Other strong performers include Korean brand Hyundai, up 15 per cent in sales this year.

– MICHAEL McALEER