Sales of new cars up almost 6% on last year

144,933 new cars were sold in the first six months of year, up 5.84% on the same period in 2005.

"Following two months where the market was flat, it is pleasing to see an 8% increase in new car sales in June 2006" said Cyril McHugh, chief executive of Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), in announcing June sales figures.

Sales of new cars in June 06 totalled 15,547, an 8.14% increase on June '05.

Sales of Light Commercial Vehicles for the first half of the year (29,210) are up 9.85% on the same period last year (26,591) while heavy commercials, although down 43% in the month of June are up 27% in the first 6 months.

The distortion in Heavy Good Vehicles (HGV) sales this year is due to the introduction of the Digital Tachograph in May, where all new HGV's being fitted out in bodyshops registered sooner than would normally be expected.