The number of new cars licensed last year fell by almost 63% compared with 2008, according to official figures released today.
The Central Statistics Office says the number of new cars licensed last year was 54,432, compared with 146,470 in 2008. It is the lowest figure since 1987.
Toyota led the way with 7,746 cars, followed by Ford with 7,738, Volkswagen with 6,127 and Nissan at 4,761.
There was a more significant drop in the number of new goods vehicles licensed - down 68% from 2008 to 10,051.
For December, the number of new cars licensed was 474 - a drop of 28.9% from the same month last year.
The figures for 2009 are broadly in line with those released earlier this month by the motor industry, although they indicated a pick-up in sales in December.
The motor industry is hoping the scrappage scheme introduced in the Budget will boost the sector this year.
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