Figures from the motor industry show that sales of new cars jumped by 55% last year, helped by the car scrappage scheme introduced in Budget 2010.
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry said 88,373 new cars were sold in 2010, an increase of more than 31,000 from 2009. 17,000 motorists bought new cars under the scrappage scheme, according to the SIMI.
SIMI director general Alan Nolan said the increase in car sales delivered an extra €109m in Government revenue and a rise of 3,500 in the number of people employed in the industry.
He welcomed the Government's decision to extend the scheme for six months.
