TWEED car buyers are putting concerns about Australia's turbulent politics aside and getting on with life by buying new cars, according to local dealers.

National statistics show car buyers have flocked back to showrooms during October despite low sales for much of the year before that.

According to new car sales manager at Victory Ford in Tweed Heads, Brad Wielstra, the trend has been reflected here.

"It was a good month," he said yesterday of October.

"It's a very positive market out there. Once people start forgetting what's happening politically they are buying cars.

"People are just getting on with their lives.

"We're selling a lot of small cars, particularly the Fiesta and other fuel efficient cars."

Mr Wielstra said diesels were attracting buyers due to their fuel efficiency and the new Ranger ute series was selling especially well.

Car sales in October were at a four-year high even though they were down by 2.8% for the year-to-date.

Figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries show 85,196 new vehicles were sold in October, up 5.3% from the previous month, and the highest October number since 2007.

"Manufacturers are reporting a steady increase in demand, placing the industry in a strong position to reach our target of one million sales for the calendar year," FCAI chief executive Ian Chalmers said.

So far this year, 837,324 new vehicles have been sold, down from 861,645 at the same point last year.

Sales of locally-manufactured models also rose in October.