Car sales last month rose by more than 32 per cent to 14,175 compared to the same period last year. The figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show there have been 103,796 new passenger car sales for 1998 so far, compared to 89,296 for the same period last year.

Light commercial vehicles sales increased by 53 per cent to 2,343 during June compared to 1,530 last year. Heavy commercial vehicle sales also increased in June to 428, compared to 318 during June 1997.