CSO figures show 28% rise in new car sales for October

New car sales increased by almost 28% in the 12 months to October, according to the Central Statistics Office.

October saw 3,943 new private cars licensed for the first time, whereas the number for October 2014 was 3,082.

The CSO says the number of used, imported cars licensed in the same period fell by almost 7%.

New car sales are up by almost a third so far this year with 118,389 new private cars being licensed.

Volkswagen was the most popular make of new cars licensed in October the carmaker selling 473 cars despite the ongoing emissions scandal.

The German car manufacturer is followed by Ford (396), BMW (283), Opel (280) and Skoda (278) for the month of October.