The Motor Industry Association is confident that sales of new vehicles will rebound in 2010, as the economy recovers.
The Association has blamed a 28% drop in sales of new passenger and commercial vehicles last year on the recession.
It predicts sales will grow by 2% - 5% this year.
The association's chief executive, Perry Kerr, says another year like 2009 would leave the new vehicle industry virtually dead in the water.
The Motor Trade Association says its member dealers are largely optimistic about their prospects, and many are reporting good carry-over sales from December.
