The number of new cars bought in Carlow and Kilkenny last year increased by just under 20% compared with 2015.
Official statistics released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry show that registrations for 2016 nationally were up by 18% with over 146,000 new cars sold.
In Kilkenny there were over 2,800 cars bought, up from 2,360 the year before.
Meanwhile in Carlow over 1,760 people purchased a new car last year, compared to 1,470 in 2015.