The number of automobiles on Israeli roads reached about 2.39 million by the end of 2008, according to figures released Monday by the Central Bureau of Statistics. The increase of 4.7 percent compares to a five percent jump in 2007 and a 3.2 percent jump the year before.

There are 324 cars for every thousand residents, a relatively low figure for developed countries. The ratio was attributed to high taxes on cars in this country. Japan is the most highly-represented car-making country with 39 percent of the models on the road. Korea increased its share to 11.3 (Cars made in Israel account for a tenth of a percent of the autos on the road.)