Australia’s new car market just keeps on going higher and higher every month. We might have been in an election period in August … a time that’s traditionally known for it’s economic uncertainty … but that didn’t seem to bother new-car buyers in Australia.
And nor has Australia lost its love for SUVs … I can understand that … for SUV sales were up for yet another month.
Official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showed that 82,122 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in August, up 12.1 per cent (or 8,835 vehicles) on the same month in 2009.
“This is a strong August result with sales of SUVs showing a particularly healthy increase,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.
“The figures show sales to private buyers remain solid (up 20.9%) and there has been a lift in new car purchases by government fleets (up 21.7%),” Mr McKellar said.
The SUV segment was the strongest performer during August, recording an increase of 32.5 per cent; followed by light commercials (up 22.6 per cent) and then passenger cars (up 3.5 per cent).
Toyota was the top selling marque in August with 16,633 sales; followed by Holden with 11,146, then Ford with 8,212 units.
Year-to-date, 695,666 vehicles have been sold, an increase of 15.2 per cent compared to the same period in 2009.