THERE is an amazing number of new cars on the way in 2005, which is good news for the buyer.

With such a vast choice joining an already burgeoning market, prices will have to remain highly competitive, so expect the trend of sizeable showroom discounts to continue.

And with high-volume Internet retailers yapping at the dealerships' heels, the man in the street will remain firmly in the driving seat when it comes to doing a good deal.

According to trade pricing experts Glass's, a total of 76 all-new cars not facelifts have been confirmed for production, up a massive 55 per cent on the tally in 2004.

Surprisingly, the bulk of these launches will be for niche models, such as small and compact people carriers, sports utility vehicles, coupes, convertibles and sports roadsters.

This means the makers are spreading their nets to catch every possible purchaser permutation. The city car and supermini sector will see the biggest individual increase in choice, say Glass's, with 16 new arrivals compared to just four in 2004.

All these new car launches should help to lessen the impact of an anticipated slowdown in sales, following several years of record new car registrations, according to Glass's.