Industry upbeat as new car sales power ahead to highest level in five years

Car sales to date this year are already the highest in five years — as the motor trade continues to outstrip all expectations.

Figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (Simi) and car history website Motorcheck.ie show sales are up more than 20% on the same period last year.

With two months still remaining in the year, car sales have already topped 90,000 — the highest since the boom year of 2008