The number of new cars licensed for the first time rose by 30.1 per cent in the first three months of the year, figures show.
Data from the Central Statistics Office indicates 68,375 new cars received licenses in the period January to March. The number of used imported cars was up 8.2 per cent versus the same quarter in 2015.
During March, 20,096 new cars were licensed for the first time, up 17.8 per cent versus the same month a year earlier. In addition, 5,276 imported cars received licenses, up 17.5 per cent.
Despite finding itself embroiled in an emissions rigging scandal, Volkswagen was the most popular make of new cars licensed last month with 12 per cent market share. Toyota was the second most popular car make with 2,030 new vehicles licensed, followed by Hyundai, Nissan and Ford. Collectively, these five manufacturers represent 49.4 per cent of all new vehicles licensed.
The figures show that seven out of ten new cars licensed in the first three months of the year were diesel fuelled.
The CSO figures usually differ from those issued 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.
