Sales of new cars during April 2006 (17,413) were on a par with April 2005 (17,401). Year on year sales of new cars are, however, up 6.6 percent in 2006 (111,989) on 2005 sales (105,036).
The high increase in Heavy Commercial Vehicle and Bus/Coach registrations in April is probably explained by the introduction of Digital Tachgraphs on all new vehicles from the 1st May 2006.
Light Commercial Vehicles were down 7 percent in April 2006 (3,631) compared with April 2005 (3,907), while year to date figures for these vehicles are up 11.4 percent in 2006 (22,043) compared with the same period in 2005 (19,784). Heavy Commercial Vehicle Registrations were up 180 percent in April 2006 (1,509) compared to April 2005 (539). Bus/Coach registrations were up 279 percent in April 2006 (110) compared to April 2005 (29).
Trish Whelan.
