Car sales are set to reach a record high this year, according to figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry. The SIMI chief executive, Mr Cyril McHugh, said the total figure for new car sales for 1998 to date was 126,429 - a 16 per cent increase on 1997.
Mr McHugh said that while car ownership was growing and now stood at 31 cars per 100 population, it remained well below the European average. The society expected ownership figures here should at least reach North Ireland levels of 36 per 100 over the next five to 10 years.