Official VFACTS data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showed Australian sales of passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles in February rose 6% to 85,723 units.
February sales rose 11.6% compared with January.
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“The love affair between Australians and sports utility vehicles continues,” FCAI chief executive, Ian Chalmers said. “This is demonstrated by overall SUV sales being up 23.8% since last month and 26.6% compared with February last year.
“These impressive numbers are due to a 73.4% increase in the sales of small SUVs since January 2012, which is a 68.1% increase over that same period in 2011.”
Passenger car sales were depressed, increasing by only 1.3% month on month.
Toyota was the best performing brand in February selling 14,849 vehicles, followed by General Motors’ Holden (9,688) and Mazda (8,689).
Toyota Australia said it had “sold at least 50 per cent more vehicles in Australia last month than any other automotive company”, up 5.5% compared with January.
After two months of the year, its sales lead over Holden is over 10,000 vehicles.
Sales and marketing chief Matthew Callachor said the February result appeared to confirm expectations for the industry to post another million-plus result in 2012.
“Toyota expects to benefit from at least six new model launches as well as significant updates to other key models,” Callachor said.
“The Prius family will soon be expanded to three models with the imminent arrival of the compact Prius C city car to be followed in a few months by the larger and more versatile V.
“Toyota is also gearing up to launch the new Camry Hybrid, built right here in Australia. “The arrival of these four ground-breaking cars means 2012 is shaping up as the year of the hybrid.”
Other 2012 launches include the 86 sports car, next generation Aurion [Camry] V6 and Corolla plus major updates to the LandCruiser 200 range.
