Australians bought 90,705 new passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles in August 2015—2.9 per cent more than in August 2014. The 90,705 vehicle sales brings the year-to-date total to 761,440—3.2 per cent more than the same YTD period in 2014.
Releasing the August 2015 new car sales figures (VFACTS), FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said small SUVs continued to increase in popularity, with sales in the segment growing over 50 per cent in August.
“Sales of SUVs increased 19.4 per cent on August 2014 figures, with a large part of that growth in the small SUV segment, where sales increased by 51.3 per cent. Medium SUV sales rose 15.8 per cent and large SUV sales grew 4.5 per cent. The upper large SUV segment fell 3.3 per cent,” Mr Weber said.
“Passenger car sales fell 4.6 per cent and light commercial vehicle sales fell 6.1 per cent.
“Sales to private and business buyers increased in August 2015, with private buyers purchasing 1.7 per cent more vehicles and business buyers purchasing 4.4 per cent more vehicles. Both buyer types increasingly chose SUVs, with private buyers taking home 22 per cent more SUVs than in August 2014; and business buyers driving away with 12.1 per cent more SUVs. Sales to government fell 6.3 per cent.”
Across the country, sales rose in most states and territories. Sales were up 2 per cent in the Australian Capital Territory, 7.5 per cent in New South Wales, 5.9 per cent in Queensland, 20.6 per cent in Tasmania and 1.8 per cent in Victoria. Sales fell 5 per cent in the Northern Territory, 9.4 per cent in South Australia and 8.4 per cent in Western Australia.
In what is one of the most competitive new car markets in the world, Toyota took out the top spot for the best-selling brand, with 16 per cent of the market. Toyota was followed by Hyundai with 10.5 per cent, Mazda with 10.1 per cent, Holden with 8.7 per cent and Mitsubishi with 6.1 per cent.
Mr Weber said the high-level of competition in the Australian market means manufacturers continuously work to improve the safety, security and environmental features of the cars they sell here. “This ensures Australians get world-class cars, built for Australian conditions, at globally-competitive prices,” Mr Weber said.
The top selling car in August 2015 was the Toyota Corolla with 3,050 sales. The Corolla was followed by the Mazda3 (2,673), Holden Commodore (2,144), Hyundai i30 (2,098) and Ford Ranger (2,096).
VFACTS monthly vehicle sales data is available at Midday on the 3rd working day after the end of every month. Previous VFACTS media releases are available at www.fcai.com.au.
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Sheena Ireland, Communications Manager
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