NI drivers buying more new cars

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Northern Ireland had the biggest yearly growth in the number of cars sold in 2007 in the UK, the motor industry's main trade body says.

New registrations rose by 5.7% to 68,708 vehicles, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Sales were up 2.4% in England, 3% in Scotland and just 1.6% in Wales.

NI's best-seller was the Renault Megane, with 2,999 cars sold last year, beating into second place the Ford Focus which topped the UK chart.

The trade body's latest report found that, overall, new car sales in the final quarter of 2007 were the strongest since 2004.

However, it cautioned that sales "will drop very slightly" this year.

Top 10 most popular new cars in Northern Ireland 2007 Rank Car model Total 1 Renault Megane 2,999 2 Ford Focus 2,861 3 Vauxhall Astra 2,763 4 Ford Fiesta 2,630 5 Vauxhall Corsa 2,598 6 Peugeot 207 2,057 7 Renault Clio 2,052 8 Volkswagen Golf 1,860 9 BMW 3 Series 1,708 10 Vauxhall Zafira 1,422 Source: SMMT