Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries figures out today show Australia’s bumper 100,200 new vehicle sales recorded in September equates to a 0.2% year-to-date increase.
Despite last month’s 2.4% drop in sales compared with September 2016 – that’s 2496 less sales – the total year-to-date figure stands at 889,168.
The light commercial vehicle and SUV segments led the way in new car sales.
Private light commercial sales rose 9.6% over September 2016, as did business fleet sales up 7.9% – showing 4×4 utes and cab-chassis variants to be the most fit-for-purpose.
Four-wheel drive LCVs saw an 11% increase, followed by small SUVs at 7.9% and medium SUVs at 3.3% above September 2016 figures.
Overall the SUV and LCV segments dominated market share, making up 58.6% of total sales year-to-date, again beating September 2016 results.
Diesel remained the major of fuel choice, increasing 10.5% in September across both private and business sales.
Passenger car segment sales fell 3929, losing 9.3% over September last year, whereas people movers and sports cars saw surprising improvements by 5% and 4.1% respectively.
FCAI chief executive Tony Weber says the figures still show signs of a record year.
“Any month over 100,000 total sales has to be seen as a strong outcome, proving there is continued value for the consumer out in the market,” Weber says.
“To keep this outcome in perspective, it has to be remembered that the September results of 2015 and 2016 were both very strong, and both those years ended in records.”
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