Figures from the motor industry show that new car sales in June were 4,813, down 39% on the same month last year, when 7,907 cars were sold.
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) says the drop is not as in previous months, but adds that this needs to be seen in the context of the low level of sales experienced in June last year.
For the first six months of 2009, car sales were 46,778, 62% down on the same period last year. The SIMI figures also show a 50% drop in registrations of imported second-hand cars in June to 3,718. These are down 8% so far this year.
'The decrease in imported used cars may reflect the strengthening of sterling but also the current value that exists in the used car market here,' said SIMI director general Alan Nolan.
He said the industry was concerned about the lack of availability of finance - both for motor businesses and for consumers. 'Unless this is dealt with it is difficult to see how the economy can begin to lift from its current low ebb, he added.
