In 1999, newly-licensed private vehicles stood at 3,500 – remaining similar to figures in 2000. However, in 2001 this figure fell to 2,700 and to 2,500 during 2002 and 2003. In fact this year’s figures for the total number of newly-registered vehicles for the period show a fall of 7.8 per cent or 273 vehicles, when compared to the same period last year.

By last June, the number of licensed vehicles (all types) stood at 271,069, of which 203,435 or 75 per cent were private vehicles, with commercial vehicles making up 44,714 or 16.5 per cent. In this category, agricultural vehicles increased by 5.2 per cent when compared to the same period last year.

Of the new vehicles registered during the second quarter this year, cars falling in class 1 (<1300cc) registered the highest increase this year over the previous quarter. This class accounted for 1,109 new licences during the April-June period, while vehicles in class 2 (1301-1449cc) accounted for 370. This period saw an increase of 270 cars or 9.2 per cent over the first quarter. However, first quarter sales are usually lower than those in the second quarter.

Agricultural vehicles increased by 14 per cent over the previous quarter – a 5.2 per cent increase when compared to the same period last year.