The number of new cars licensed in the first half of 2003 is down 6.4 per cent on the same period last year, according to figures released today by the Central Statistics Office.
The vehicle licensing statistics published today show 12,180 new private cars were licensed in June, 2003, compared with 13,017 in June, 2002 - a decrease of 6.4 per cent.
In the first six months of 2003, there were 101,866 new private cars licensed, a decrease of 2.6 per cent on the corresponding period last year.
Ford was the most popular brand for car buyers in June, with 1,809 vehicles licensed, followed by Toyota (1,727), Volkswagen (1,239), Nissan (929), Renault (619) and Opel (611).