The number of new private cars registered for the first time in Ireland rose by almost 84 per cent in May, according to the Central Statistics Office.
Car sales have benefited from the Government's scrappage scheme, and have seen an upturn over the past few months, with 8,893 new cars licensed during May 2010, compared with 4,840 in May 2009.
However, new goods vehicles fell during the month, dipping 11.4 per cent to 916.
A total of 16,173 vehicles were licensed during the month, compared with 14,799 in the same month last year. New vehicles accounted for 10,614 of these, a 54.6 per cent rise compared with last year's 6,864.
Ford was the top-selling brand for new cars, with 1,389 people opting for the make last month, followed by Volkswagon, Renault and Toyota.
More than 800 new Toyota’s were licensed in May despite a series of recalls over unintended acceleration and braking.
Diesel vehicles continued to outstrip petrol in the private category, with 6,020 new diesel cars registered.
