The number of new cars sold in July of this year rose by 51% on the same month last year, new Central Statistics Office figures show.
The CSO said that 9,306 new private cars were licensed last month, compared with 6,164 in July 2012 after the introduction of the new 132 number plate at the start of the month.
However, the number of new goods vehicles licensed last month fell by 6.2% to 953.
Of the 9,306 new private cars licensed, 28.6% were petrol and 70.3% were diesel.
The most popular make of new car sold last month was Ford, followed by Volkswagen, Toyota and Hyundai.
Today's figures also show that the total number of used private cars licensed last month was 4,587 compared with 3,143 in July of last year - up 45.9%.
