The number of new cars sold in Northern Ireland was nearly 50% higher in March compared to the same time last year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.
The jump - which compares to March 2020, the first month when lockdown was introduced at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic – will be good news for the motor trade and also suggests consumers are feeling slightly more confident about their future finances
Northern Ireland recorded the biggest increase in the number of cars registered here, with an increase of 24% noted in Scotland, 11% in England and a fall of 11% in Wales.
The type of new cars sold since the start of the year has also changed with the Nissan Qashqai taking the top spot with 284 new motors registered in Northern Ireland.
It pipped the Volkswagen Golf into second place with 266 registered, the Volkswagen Tiguan in third with 255 and the Ford Fiesta in fourth with 252.
Next month is expected to see a bigger year-on-year increase for all new cars as it will be compared to April 2020, the first full month when lockdown was implemented.
While Northern Ireland’s car dealers were hamstrung by the pandemic in the early stages, the latter months of 2020 were busier with over 51,000 new cars registered for the year as a whole.
Although down around 30% for each nation, the relatively modest drop will be a relief to many in the trade.
Consumer confidence has been helped by the extension of the furlough scheme which has prevented widespread redundancies and maintained income for many.
Meanwhile, with limited options to spend on leisure activities, purchasing a car is also more a possibility.
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