May 11, 2016 | correspondent
Australians purchased 81,656 new passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles in April 2015, 946 units more than the same period last year. Year-to-date, new vehicle sales are up 3.5 per cent.
SUV sales rose 17 per cent, compared to April 2014, and light commercial sales rose 3.4 per cent. Passenger car sales fell 10.3 per cent.
Releasing the April 2015 new car sales figures, FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said private buyers continued to show a preference for SUVs and light commercial vehicles, with private purchases of SUVs increasing 24.4 per cent and private purchases of light commercial vehicles increasing 17.7 per cent.
“Overall, new car sales to private buyers increased 8.8 per cent and new car sales to government increased 1.7 per cent. Business purchases were down, with the business community purchasing 5.6 per cent less vehicles than in April 2014,” Mr Weber said.
“While small passenger car sales fell 13.8 per cent, the segment continues to attract the most buyers, holding 19.8 per cent of the new car market in April 2015 and 21.1 per cent year-to-date. Large SUVs held 12.9 per cent of the new car market in April, medium SUVs held 12.1 per cent, 4×4 light commercial vehicles held 11.6 percent and small SUVs held 10.1 per cent.”
The Toyota Corolla was the top selling car in April 2015, with 3,238 sold. The Corolla was followed by the Toyota HiLux (2,789), Mazda3 (2,365), Hyundai i30 (2,298) and Ford Ranger (2,200).
Sales varied across the country with increases posted in Tasmania (up 8.3%), Victoria (5%), Australian Capital Territory (up 2.9%), New South Wales (up 2.5%) and Queensland (up 1.7%), but decreased in the Northern Territory and Western Australia (both 11%) and South Australia (1.1%).
Toyota was the highest selling brand in April 2015 with 18.7 per cent of the market, followed by Mazda with 9.9 per cent, Hyundai with 8.8 per cent, Holden with 8.7 per cent and Ford with 6.3 per cent.
Source: http://www.fcai.com.au/news/index/index/year/all/month/all/article/391
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