Car registrations jumped by 28 percent to 7.475 vehicles in the first quarter, compared to 5.840 vehicles in the same period last year, said the Cyprus Statistical Service.

Car registrations are an indicator of Durable Goods spending, when it starts to rise, it’s usually good news for the economy. It should be noted, however, that this sector fell significantly in the economic crash, so at this stage, it’s still recovering the losses seen between 2008 and 2013.

CySTAT said that the main developments in the first three months of 2016 , compared to the same period of 2015 , were:

(a) Passenger saloon cars increased to 6.394, from 5 .080 in January-March 2015, i.e. there was an increase of 25,9%. Of the total passenger saloon cars , 3.254 vehicles or 50,9% were new and 3.140 vehicles or 49 ,1 % were used cars.

(b) Goods conveyance vehicles increased by 52,6% to 589 in January-March 2016, compared to 386 in January-March 2015.

Light goods vehicles increased by 56,4% to 516 , from 330 in January-March 2015.

Heavy goods vehicles increased by 61,8% to 55 in January-March 2016, from 34 in January-March 2015.

Road tractors (units of trailers) decreased by 18,2% to 18 in January-March 2016, from 22 in January-March 2015.

(d) Mopeds < 50cc in creased by 4,0% to 26 in January-March 2016, compared to 25 in January-March 2015. (e) Mechanised cycles > 50cc increased by 45,1% to 415 in 2016, compared to 286 in January-March 2015.