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.
Go deeper with GlobalData
According to VFACTS figures released 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% 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.
FCAI CEO Peter Sturrock is forecasting a 2005 total of 980,000 and said the growth is being driven to new heights by fierce competition, appealing new models and a growing demand for more economical cars.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalData“The small car segment is booming this year, led by a record result for the Toyota Corolla last month, suggesting that fuel economy has risen on the list of priorities for many buyers,” Sturrock said.
So far this year, sales of the small car segment are up 16.6% and the light car segment is up 8.5%.
“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,” added Sturrock.
He cited as an example the huge success of the Australian-designed-and-built Ford Territory crossover, which sold 2,537 units last month, making it the best-selling SUV of any size.
The SUV market was the fastest-growing sector of the industry with sales up 9.8%.
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%.
“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 Sturrock.
Toyota was the top-selling brand in June with 21,545 or 21.1% of the market, ahead of Holden with 17,108 (16.8%), Ford (12,951 and 12.7%) and Mitsubishi with 8,136 or 8.0%.
On a year-to-date basis, Toyota continues to lead the market with 97,976 sales, 7,748 units ahead of Holden.
Other strong performers are Mazda, in fourth, with sales up 17.7% for the year to date, seventh placed Hyundai whose sales are up 15.6% and eighth-placed Honda whose sales are up 31.4%.
