There has been an increase of 48.8% in new cars licensed in January, according to the Central Statistics Office.
Figures released from the CSO show there were almost 16,000 private cars licenced last month, up from 10,735 in January 2013.
Imported cars being licensed for the first time also saw a huge increase, with almost 4,000 more (47.9%) being brought into the country.
Almost three quarters of cars being licensed for the first time were diesel.
Licensing is different to registration, it refers to vehicles for which a tax disc is issued.