There has been a dramatic drop in the number of vehicles licensed in Westmeath in the past year. New figures reveal that the number of new cars licensed in October this year has decreased by almost 60 per cent compared with the same month last year.
While in October 2007, 95 new cars were licensed, the most recent CSO figures reveal that only 39 new cars were licensed in Westmeath in October this year, a massive drop of 59 per cent.
The drop is higher then the national average, with figures showing that the number of new cars licensed across the country in October 2008 dropped by 49 per cent compared with October last year. Overall, 2,699 new cars were licensed in Ireland last month.
The number of new goods vehicles licensed in Westmeath also decreased from 36 in October 2007 to 14 in the same month this year.
The number of motorcycles licensed in Westmeath dropped from two to one during the same period, while the exempt vehicles licensed fell from six to two.
Toyota and Mazda are the most popular choice for Westmeath’s car-buyers, with six Toyotas and five Mazdas licensed in the county in October this year, whereas last October Volkswagen was the most popular make, closely followed by Toyota.
Meanwhile, the sale of second hand cars showed a slight increase on last year, with 106 second hand cars licensed in Westmeath in October 2008 compared to 102 the previous year.
Overall the licensing of second-hand cars showed a 4 per cent increase on the same period last year.
