NEW car sales last month could be as much as 18% down year on year, according to early motor industry indications. Early this week, April new car sales had yet to be published but last year's 171,690 figure is unlikely to be beaten.

Glass's Information Services said: 'There is a greater expectation that new car sales are expected to fall away markedly after April as the excitement of the T-plate fades and September's V-plate looms.'