There was an 11 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of new cars registered in the State in 2005, figures published today show.
The Central Statistics Office reports 166,270 new cars were registered last year - an 11.1 per cent increase on 2004.
There was also a 78.6 per cent jump in the number of second-hand cars licensed last year, reflecting the growing trend in importing vehicles.
A number of factors are likely to have contyributed to the huge jump in this category. Non-nationals coming to live in the State is thought likely to have had a significant influence.
Cars bought at the turn of the millenium for their 00 registrations are coming back onto the market in greater numbers providing greater choice and affordability for consumers. This is also likely to have been a factor as second-hand sales have steadily increased since 2000.
The motors sector reflects the level of economic prosperity in a country, and a significant increase in the number of new commercial vehicles registered supports this. Some 38,396 were registered - an increase of over 7,000 (23.2 per cent).
The first licensing of new tractors in 2005 increased by 287 to 3,168 (10 per cent).
In total, there were 280,584 vehicles licensed in 2005 compared with 234,859 in 2004 - an increase of 19.5 per cent.
Toyota recorded the highest number of new private cars registered (23,490) followed by Ford (19,735), Volkswagen (14,599), Nissan (13,078), Opel (11,870) and Renault (10,689).