Car sales for the first quarter were up 10 per cent on last year after a dramatic upturn in March. Figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that 77,171 new cars were registered in the first three months, a period that normally represents over half the total year's sales.
This represents a rise of 7,053 on last year. A rise in March sales of 5,409 brought the month's total to 23,307, thanks in part to very bouyant registrations for several marques in the closing 10 days.
Toyota continued to top the table with 9,838 sales to the end of March, up 3,180 thanks largely to the new Avensis. Last year's leader, Ford, was second with 8,919.
In the top five, Renault did particularly well, achieving an 8.03 per cent share, up 1.4 per cent on last year. Nissan's March registrations were up 792 on last year.
Outside the top five, the big movers were Suzuki, at 1,486 for the first quarter compared to 877 in 2003. Mini sales grew from 132 for the first three months in 2003 to 328 this year.