Australians bought 82,285 vehicles in January 2014, 3.7% less than in January 2013.
The Mazda 3 was the top selling car, with 4,561 vehicles sold, a 36% year on year increase, followed by the Toyota Corolla (Australia’s top selling car in 2013) with 2,914 sales. The Toyota Hilux light truck was third with 2,544 sales. The Hyundai i30 was fourth (2,486) and General Motors’ Holden Commodore fifth (2,364).
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Among the top 10, the Volkswagen Golf recorded a 71% increase in sales compared to January 2013, reaching 1,590 (ninth). The Commodore also recorded a 43% increase.
FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said: “Amid declining sales across the majority of segments, small SUVs continued to be a popular choice. Sales in this segment reached 6,146 in January 2014, which is a 17.6% increase on January 2013 small SUV sales,” Weber said.
Business sales were down by 7.8%. The most significant decline was in the light commercial category, where sales were down 26.1%. Purchases of SUVs were also down (11.5%). However, business purchases in the passenger motor vehicle category rose 8%.
Total private sales figures remained consistent with January 2013 data. The growth in private purchases of light commercials continued, with sales up 10.8%. Sales of SUVs to private buyers also increased by 3.9%. Private purchases of passenger motor vehicles declined by 4.1%.
Toyota was the top selling brand in January 2014, with 13,646 sales, followed by Mazda (9,411), Holden (8,871), Hyundai (7,152) and Ford (6,804).
