New car sales continue in top gear

CAR sales at the start of the new year have kept up the resurgent performance of the motor industry in 2010, with the number of new cars registered in January up more than 30%.

There were 13,624 new private cars licensed last month compared to 10,649 in January 2010 — an increase of 3,155 vehicles.

While the latest figures will be welcomed by the motor industry, it must also be recognised that the lower number of new cars registered 12 months ago was attributed to an extended spell of bad weather.