New car registrations rise 72%

The number of new cars licensed last month rose 72 per cent over the same period last year as the Government's scrappage scheme provided a boost for the motor industry.

There were more than 8,300 new private cars licensed last month, compared with just over 4,800 in June 2009.

However, there was a decline in the number of used cars that were imported into Ireland, with 3,599 licensed last month compared to 3,992 in the same period last year.

New goods vehicles also suffered a decline, falling 18.2 per cent to 838, compared with 1,025 in the same month last year.

In total, 15,660 cars were licensed in the month, a rise of 17 per cent compared with a year ago. New vehicles accounted for 10,007, up 51 per cent on last year.

The majority of the private vehicles licensed were  diesel-powered, with 65.5 per cent using the fuel. This compares with 30.7 per cent that used petrol.