There has been a 17 per cent increase in the sales of new cars so far this year. A total of 118,179 have been sold, compared to 101,2389 during the same period last year. Sales of light commercial vehicles have increased by 37 per cent, while heavy commercial vehicle sales are up by 21 per cent.
The chief executive of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), Mr Cyril McHugh, said that it was now time for the Government to reduce the "hugely inflated levels" of vehicle road tax.