Small SUV sales boom in August 2015

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 July 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 worldclass 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).

Key Points:

• The August 2015 market of 90,705 new vehicle sales is an increase of 2,550 vehicle sales or 2.9% on August 2014 (88,155 vehicle sales). August 2015 (26.0) had the same number of selling days as August 2014 and this resulted in an increase of 98.1 vehicle sales per day.
• The August 2015 industry volume is down 1,603 or 1.7% on July 2015 (92,308 vehicles).
• The Passenger Vehicle Market is down by 1,978 vehicle sales (-4.6%) over the same month last year; the Sports Utility Market is up by 5,352 vehicle sales (19.4%); the Light Commercial Market is down by 930 vehicle sales (-6.1%); and the Heavy Commercial Vehicle Market is up by 106 sales (4.0%) versus August 2014.
• Toyota was market leader in August, followed by Hyundai and Mazda. Toyota led Hyundai with a margin of 5,000 vehicle sales, or 5.5 market share points.

VFACTS monthly vehicle sales data is available at Midday on the 3rd working day after the end of every month. Select data and media releases on the sales results are available at www.fcai.com.au

For further information contact: Sheena Ireland, Communications Manager P: 02 6229 8221 M: 0458 038 555 E: sheena.ireland@fcai.com.au