The number of new cars licensed in March slumped by 22.3% from a year earlier, the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show. This follows a fall of over 8% in February.
The figures show that a total of 20,190 new private cars were licensed last month compared with a total of 25,974 in March 2007.
The total number of new cars licensed so far this year stands at 77,441, a fall of 5.3% on the same time last year.
The CSO also says today that the number of second hand private cars licensed in March fell by 9.3% on the same month last year, while the number of new goods vehicles tumbled by 39% to 3,858. This compares with 6,363 in March 2007.
Toyota remains the most popular brand for Irish carbuyers, with a total of 2,945 being sold last month. It was followed by Volkswagen (2,385), Ford (2.303), Opel (1,982) and Nissan (1,316).
