Number of cars up again

At the end of September 2002, the stock of licensed motor vehicles (all types) stood at 260,379, up from 258,045 in the previous quarter.

Of the September total, 193,784, or 74.4 per cent, were private vehicles, while commercial vehicles made up 43,802, or 16.8 per cent, the National Statistics Office said.

The stock of self-drive cars increased by 1.8 per cent over the previous quarter, but declined by 139 vehicles when compared to the same period last year.

There were 3,406 new vehicle licences issued during the third quarter of 2002. Private vehicles accounted for 2,606 new licences, or 76.5 per cent of the total.

In this quarter, private vehicles falling within class 1 (< 1,300cc) registered the highest increase.

This class accounted for 695 new licences in July-September 2002, while vehicles in class three (1,450-1,500cc) accounted for 664.

Compared to the same period last year, the total number of newly licensed motor vehicles registered a marginal drop of 45, or a decrease of 1.3 per cent.