NEW-CAR sales are still storming ahead of last year -- which was, of course, a disaster. The Motorcheck.ie figures show that sales have now hit 48,667 -- up 45pc on the 33,453 sold over the same period last year. Anecdotal evidence suggests there is still life in the market with scrappage schemes in many guises continuing to attract buyers. It's also interesting that used car imports are down 31pc (14,548) over that period as well. That is seen as a reflection of the home market now being more competitively priced after a massive realignment over the past 18 months to two years