Number of new cars bought in January up 6.5%

The number of new cars licensed in January jumped 6.5% in a welcome boost for the motor industry.

New figures published by the CSO show that 14,507 new private cars were licensed last month, compared to 13,624 in Jan 2011 — an increase of 883 extra vehicles.

The Jan 2012 figures still represent a sharp decline from the peak of the Celtic Tiger economy in 2008, when over 30,000 new cars were sold in the first month of that year.