The total number of new cars sold in January was 35% higher than the corresponding figure in 2015.
New Central Statistics Office (CSO) data shows that 27,106 new cars were licensed during the month - this was up from 20,105 last year.
The State body reports that Toyota was the most popular brand, selling 3,666 units. It was followed by Hyundai (3,405), Ford (3,351), and Volkswagen (2,368).
The latest CSO figures come after the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) registration stats earlier this month, which showed South Korean brand Hyundai knocking the German manufacturer off the top spot.
Toyota's market share fell by 1% year-on-year - while Hyundai’s increased by 2.4% to 12.6%. Volkswagen's market share fell by 0.7% to 8.7%.
The number of secondhand cars imported into Ireland was down by 3.8% to 3,848.
