The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) figures for new cars registered in October stands at 1,526.

This is down 12.7% on October 2008- which stood 1,748.

The year to date figure, at 56,637 is down 62.4% on the figure to end of October 2008 (150,790).

SIMI Director General, Alan Nolan said October 2008 was such a poor month for car sales that it was already down 55% on the previous October.