The economic downturn and the collapse of car finance companies are being blamed for a dip in car sales figures in November.
About 4,500 new cars were sold during the month, a drop of almost 1300 on November 2008.
The Motor Industry Association chief executive Perry Kerr says sales for the year are likely to be about 55,000 passenger vehicles, down 25% to 30% on last year.
The Toyota Corolla was still the country's best selling model in November, Mr Kerr says.
