Australians bought 91,236 new passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles in October 2014, 1.5 per cent less than in October 2013. Year-to-date, Australians have bought 924,189 new vehicles, with the full-year market expected to top 1.1 million for the third year in a row.
SUV sales continue to boom, with last month’s sales up 9.7 per cent compared to October 2013 and January to October 2014 sales up 5.3 per cent compared to the same period in 2013. Passenger car sales decreased 8.1 per cent and light commercial sales decreased 1.9 per cent, compared to October 2013.
Releasing the October 2014 VFACTS figures FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said government purchases continue to be higher than in 2013, with sales to government buyers up 2.2 per cent compared to the same month in 2013 and year-to-date sales up 5.5 per cent.
“Sales to private buyers fell 3.9 per cent compared to October 2013; however, private sales remain up by 1.1 per cent year-to-date,” Mr Weber said.
“Business confidence appears to have a significant effect on business purchases of new motor vehicles this year with business sales continuing to fall—sales are down 2 per cent for the month and 7.1 per cent year‑to-date.”
Sales in New South Wales rose 4.6 per cent compared to October 2014, with the state also up 1.7 per cent year-to-date. Sales fell in all other states and territories, with sales in Tasmania falling 14.3 per cent, Western Australia 7.5 per cent, Queensland 5.9 per cent, Australian Capital Territory 4.7 per cent, Northern Territory 3.2 per cent and Victoria 1.5 per cent.
The Toyota Corolla was the top selling vehicle in October 2014 with 3,819 vehicles sold. The Corolla was followed by the Toyota Hilux (3,228), Mazda3 (2,928), Hyundai i30 (2,475) and Ford Ranger (2,405). Year‑to‑date, only 914 sales separate the top two year-to-date selling vehicles—the Toyota Corolla (36,925) and the Mazda3 (36,011).
Mr Weber said it was no surprise that three small passenger cars are represented in the top five for the month and year-to-date. “Small passenger cars hold the largest market share for both October and year‑to‑date sales. They accounted for 22.6 per cent of sales last month and 22.7 per cent of sales between January and October 2014,” Mr Weber said. “Small passenger cars are followed by medium SUVs, large SUVs and 4×4 light commercial vehicles all, holding around 11 to 12 per cent of the total market so far this year.”
Toyota maintained the overall lead in market share for October 2014 (19.1%), followed by Hyundai (9.2%), Holden (8.3%), Mazda (7.5%) and Ford (6.9%).
For more information, contact:
Sheena Ireland, Communications Manager
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