The number of new cars licensed in the State was 40 per cent lower in June than in the same month last year.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the number of new vehicles licensed in the first half of this year (49,503) was 16 per cent lower than in the same period in 2012 (58,936). Last year's sales were bolstered somewhat by the Government's scrappage scheme, which ended last June.

The CSO reported that 3,293 new private cars were licensed last month, compared with 5,481 in June 2012. The number of new goods vehicles licensed fell by 25.4 per cent to 745.

The CSO figures differ from those issued earlier this week by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI). The CSO measures the number of cars taxed for the first time while the SIMI figures are based on new registrations issued by the Vehicle Registration Office.

The SIMI registration figures showed the new car market down 73 per cent in June and 20 per cent for the year. Total new car registrations from January to June were 53,230, with last month seen as particularly bad (1,673) as buyers seemingly held on until July to do business and get a 132 registration plate. Car registrations on July 1st (1,927) were higher than for the whole of June.

Volkswagen was the highest selling brand, with 466 new cars licensed last month, followed by Toyota (381), Ford (335), Skoda (253) and Opel (205).

Diesel cars accounted for 72.7 per cent of all vehicles licensed (2,393) last month, with 874 petrol cars taxed for the first time.