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New Car sales Rise 2.5% in September

Australians bought 94,978 new passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles last month—2.5 per cent (2,316) more than in September 2013. 

Releasing the September 2014 VFACTS figures, FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said sales continue to grow significantly in the SUV segment, with 14.6 per cent more SUVs sold in the month than in September 2013. Light commercial vehicle sales rose 2.9 per cent, while passenger car sales fell 4.1 per cent.

“SUV sales have been strong in 2014, with year-to-date sales in the segment up 4.8 per cent compared to the same year-to-date period in 2013. In particular, the popularity of the small SUV segment continues to rise with sales for the month up 31.1 per cent compared to September 2013, and year-to-date sales up 17.4 per cent compared to the January to September 2013 period,” Mr Weber said.

“New car sales to the business community continue to fall in 2014, with business purchases in September down 3.8 per cent compared to September 2013. Private purchases increased 6.7 per cent and government purchases increased 5.8 per cent,” Mr Weber said.

“Year-to-date, business purchases are down 7.7 per cent, while private sales are up 1.6 per cent and government purchases are up 6 per cent.”

Private purchases of SUVs and light commercial vehicles continue to rise, with private buyers purchasing 22 per cent more SUVs and 7.8 per cent more light commercial vehicles in September 2014, compared to September 2013. “The increase in SUV and light commercial vehicle purchases by private buyers is a reflection of the versatility these vehicles provide and the increasing range of SUVs and light commercial vehicles available in the market,” Mr Weber said.

Sales increased in most states and in both territories in September 2014, compared to September 2013. Australian Capital Territory sales increased by 4.9 per cent, New South Wales by 5.9 per cent, Northern Territory by 6.1 per cent, Queensland by 2.1 per cent, South Australia by 4.3 per cent and Victoria by 0.9 per cent. New car sales in Tasmania fell 5.5 per cent and sales in Western Australia fell 2.7 per cent.

Despite year-to-date sales across the nation being down 2 per cent, the Australian new motor vehicle industry is tracking to sell over 1.1 million vehicles for the third consecutive year. Year-to-date, Australians have bought 832,953 new vehicles.

The Mazda3 was the top selling vehicle in September 2014 with 4,014 vehicles sold. The Mazda3 was followed by the Toyota Corolla (3,893), Toyota Hilux (3,430), Holden Commodore (2,616) and Hyundai i30 (2,539).

Toyota maintained the overall lead in market share for September 2014 (18.8%), followed by Mazda (10%), Hyundai (9.3%), Holden (9%) and Ford (6.6%).

For more information, contact:
Sheena Ireland, Communications Manager
02 6229 8221 / 0458 038 555
[email protected]