New car sales increased by almost 30 per cent year on year in 2014, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (Simi) has said.

The organisation, which lobbies on behalf of the motor industry, said a total of 96,338 new cars were sold last year, up from 74,367 a year earlier.

Sales of new light commercial vehicles increased from 11,006 in 2013 to 16,652 (up 51 per cent) last year. The number of heavy goods vehicles registered increased by 16 per cent to 2,000 in 2014.

Simi said the figures should be viewed in the context of sales starting from a “low base” following a collapse in the industry during the recession but that it was confident that this year would see further growth in the industry.

"The feedback received from our members for January has been very positive, indicating continued growth in sales in January and the rest of 2015," Simi director general Alan Nolan said.