Motor vehicles registrations slip in August

After three consecutive months of year-on-year increases, motor vehicle registrations slipped by 3.9% year on year in August, to reach 3,792.

On a year-to-date basis, registrations are still higher: they rose by 0.8% to 34,051 in January-August 2006, compared with 33,795 in January-August 2005.

However, as in previous years, government tax plans are probably behind the sudden change in mood. It emerged over the summer months that the government was planning a cut in excise duties on second-hand cars, which has probably led customers to postpone their purchase plans.

Private saloon cars fell by 3.0% to 24,570 from 25,324 in January-August 2005.