Biggest July on record

Vehicle sales hit a high for the month of the July, with SUV sales leading the way.

The 92,308 total was up 2.7% on the same month last year, and up 2.3% on the previous top July, which was in 2013. This was the fourth record month in 2015.

SUVs continued to drive the market, up 13.5% year-on-year, with the vehicles now making up over 35% of sales.

Light commercial vehicle sales also increased. Light commercial vehicle sales were up 4.7% in July 2015, compared to July 2014 figures. Passenger car sales decreased by 4.7%.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber says Australia’s fleet mix had changed significantly over the past decade.

“Ten years ago, passenger cars represented over 60% of new car sales. Now, light commercial vehicles and SUVs represent over 50% of the new car market and passenger cars represent only 45 per cent,” Weber says.

“With car affordability at record levels, private buyers purchased 6.2% more new vehicles in July 2015, than in July 2014. In particular, they purchased 22.2% more SUVs and 8.8% more light commercial vehicles,” Weber explains. “Private purchases of passenger vehicles decreased 5.1%.

Business purchases were up 4.5% and government purchases were down 8.4%.

Across the country, sales rose in most states and territories. Sales were up 1.6% in the Australian Capital Territory, 6.1% in New South Wales, 5.3% in Queensland, 11% in Tasmania and 4.6% in Victoria. Sales fell 8.4% in the Northern Territory, 4.7% in South Australia and 12.7% in Western Australia.

Toyota took out the top spot for the best-selling brand, with 18.2% of the market. Toyota was followed by Mazda with 10.1%, Hyundai with 9.2%, Holden with 8.6% and Ford with 6.2%.

Australians drove home with 3,573 new Toyota Corollas, making the vehicle the best seller for July. The Corolla was followed by the Mazda3 (2,825), the Hyundai i30 (2,750), the Toyota Hilux (2,579) and the Mitsubishi Triton (2,238).