U-turn for motor industry as car sales increase 56%

THE motor industry recorded a major upturn in business last year with car sales up 56%.

Data published by the Central Statistics Office shows 84,907 new private cars were licensed during 2010 — an increase of 30,475 vehicles on the previous year.

The results mark a major improvement in the fortunes of the sector after a suffering a sharp slump in trade during 2009 when just over 54,400 cars were sold — the lowest figure in a decade. By comparison, over 146,000 new cars were sold in 2008.