2 October 2002: Car sales in September were up 13.9% on the same period last year, according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), slightly improving the overall car registrations for the first three-quarters of the year which are now down by 5.5%.

Ford had the bigest market share in September, claiming 12.1%, and with 16,538 units sold since January 1, or 11.2% market share, Ford is the leading car distributor in the country this year, followed by Toyota, VW and Nissan.

Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland, said the strong September performance is likely to see the year-end market approach 160,000 units.

Passenger car registrations, 2002 Year-to-date: Ford 16,536 (11.2%); Toyota 16,332 (11.1%); VW 15,294 (10.4%); Nissan 13,982 (9.5%); Total 147,282.

Passenger car registrations, September 2002: Ford 766 (12.1%); Nissan 633 (10%); VW 612 (9.6%); GM 557 (8.8%); Toyota 505 (8%); Total 6,348.