Australia’s new car market fell 5.5 per cent in August 2014, compared to August 2013, with 88,157 new passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles sold.
Releasing the August 2014 VFACTS figures, FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said sales fell predominantly in the passenger car segment, with Australians buying 5,402 (11.2 per cent) less passenger cars than in the same month last year. Sales of SUVs and light commercial vehicles were comparable to August 2013 (up 0.1 and 0.5 per cent, respectively).
“SUVs and light commercial vehicles were a popular choice for private buyers in August, with private purchases in these segments rising 5.6 and 8.9 per cent, respectively; compared to August 2013. Private purchases of passenger cars, however, fell 15.7 per cent,” Mr Weber said.
“Government purchases of SUVs increased 29.6 per cent and passenger car sales to government increased 1.3 per cent. While government purchases of light commercial vehicles fell 7.4 per cent in August, year-to-date sales remain 1.5 per cent higher than the same YTD period in 2013.
“Business purchases declined in all categories, with business buyers purchasing 6 per cent less passenger cars, 9.6 per cent less SUVs and 3.9 per cent less light commercial vehicles; compared to August 2013.”
Sales fell in all states and territories, with the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia seeing the most significant falls (16.5, 10.1 and 10.2 per cent, respectively). Sales in Tasmania and Victoria fell 4.9 and 4.1 per cent, respectively. New South Wales fell 2.8 per cent, South Australia fell 2 per cent, and Australian Capital Territory fell 1.2 per cent.
YTD, sales across the nation are down 2.5 per cent. YTD sales in the passenger car segment are down 5.4 per cent and light commercial vehicle sales are down 4.7 per cent. YTD SUV sales are up 3.7 per cent. In particular, YTD sales of small SUVs are up 15.7 per cent.
Overall, the Toyota Corolla maintained the title of top selling vehicle for the month with 3,247 sales in August 2014. The Corolla was followed by the Mazda3 (3,124), Toyota Hilux (2,918), Hyundai i30 (2,651) and the Holden Commodore (2,344).
Toyota maintained the overall lead in market share for June 2014 (17.7%), followed by Holden and Hyundai (both 9.8%), Mazda (8.5%) and Ford (7.8%).
For more information, contact:
Sheena Ireland, Communications Manager
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