But against last year, during which the market plummeted by 63 percent, unit sales are up by 64 percent to 90,739 vehicles, according to industry tracking company Motorcheck.ie.
Used passenger imports for the year are down 17 percent on last year to 37,460, while motorcycle sales are now less than half what they were in 2008, at 1,218 units.
Commercial vehicle sales are up 19 percent on last year, but still down by almost 62 percent on 2008, at 13,319 units.
