According to data released last week by the Israeli Vehicle Importers Association, based on the number of vehicle licenses issued, there were more than 21,000 deliveries of new vehicles in May, 11% more than in the corresponding month last year.

Between January and May 112,425 new vehicles were delivered in Israel, up 19.6% from the corresponding period of 2013.

Sources in the sector believe that the brisk sales are in part a result of the continued strength of the shekel against the currencies of car manufacturing countries allowing importers to offer attractive discounts right across the market.

Hyundai reclaimed first place as the bestselling car in Israel with 14,989 deliveries since the beginning of 2014, down 3.6% from the corresponding period, followed by Toyota in second place with 13,028 deliveries, up 63%. In third place is Kia with 11,032 deliveries, up 30%, followed by Mazda 8,404 deliveries, up 58%, Suzuki 6,472 deliveries, up 45%.