The number of new private cars registered in April rose 16.4% compared with the same period last the year, according to newly released official figures.
11,171 private cars were registered in April, according to the Central Statistics Office figures.
Of these, 2,999 (26.8%) were petrol and 8,021 (71.8%) were diesel.
The number of new goods vehicles licensed in April 2011 was 1,219 compared with 1,070 in the corresponding month last year, an increase of 13.9%.
Overall, 18,831 vehicles were registered last month, compared with 17,506 last year, an increase of 4.7%.
There was a rise in the numbers of tractors registered - 152 in April 2011 compared with 117 in April 2010 - though the 2011 figure is a decrease on that of April 2009 (216).
The number of new motor cycles registered fell, from 156 in April 2010 to 117 in April this year.
Volkswagen (1,534) was the most popular brand, followed by Ford (1,387), Nissan (1,121) and Renault (1,041).
