Car Industry smashes all-time sales records in June
5th July, 2005
The Australian automotive industry has for the first time sold more
than 100,000 motor vehicles in a single month, staying on course to
smash the annual sales record set last year.
According to VFACTS figures released today by the Federal Chamber of
Automotive Industries (FCAI), 101,907 cars, trucks and buses were sold
in June, beating the previous record monthly total of 97,212 set in
June, 2004.
At the half-yearly mark the industry has sold 498,967 vehicles - 5.4 per cent
ahead of the same period last year.
On current trends total annual sales are likely to easily surpass last
year's record of 955,229 - which would make it the car industry's
fourth annual record in a row.
The Chief Executive of the FCAI, Peter Sturrock, is forecasting a 2005
total of 980,000 and says the growth is being driven to new heights by
fierce competition, appealing new models and a growing demand for more
economical cars.
"The small car segment is booming this year, led by a record result for
Toyota Corolla last month, suggesting that fuel economy has risen on
the list of priorities for many buyers," said Mr Sturrock.
So far this year, sales of the Small Car segment are up 16.6 per cent and the
Light Car segment is up 8.5 per cent.
"The automotive industry is in the fashion and lifestyle business and
the car brands that are doing well are the ones that are offering the
latest trends," said Mr Sturrock.
Mr Sturrock cited as example the huge success of the
Australian-designed-and-built Ford Territory, which sold 2537 last
month, making it the best-selling Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) of any
size.
The SUV market was the fastest-growing sector of the industry with sales up 9.8
per cent.
Mr Sturrock said that, while the Territory's popularity was great news
for local automotive manufacturing, the other news of note was the
performance of Mitsubishi, whose sales so far this year have risen 17.1
per cent.
"It's very pleasing to see that Mitsubishi has overcome its recent
difficulties and returned to its traditional position of fourth on the
sales charts," said Mr Sturrock.
Toyota was the top-selling brand in June with 21,545 or 21.1 per cent
share of the market, ahead of Holden with 17,108 (16.8 per cent), Ford
(12,951 and 12.7 per cent) and Mitsubishi with 8136 or 8.0 per cent.
On a year-to-date basis, Toyota continues to lead the market with 97,976 sales,
7748 units ahead of Holden.
Other strong performers are Mazda, in fourth, with sales up 17.7 per
cent for the year to date, seventh placed Hyundai whose sales are up
15.6 per cent and eighth-placed Honda whose sales are up 31.4 per cent.
For more information, contact:
Peter Sturrock
T: 02 6229 8212
M: 0412 377 501