Aussie vehicles sales hit record levels

Australians are flocking to vehicle showrooms across the country, pushing car and truck sales to record levels.

The market posted its best first quarter ever to the end of March this year with demand last month also an all-time best for the industry.

In its VFACTS bulletin issued on Wednesday, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) said 255,068 new cars and trucks were retailed in the first three months of 2007, up 8.7 per cent on the same period in 2006.

The previous best first quarter result was 237,000 set in 2005.

In March demand was up 8.3 per cent to 94,392 vehicles, the best March result ever.

FCAI chief executive Peter Sturrock said consumers appeared unfazed by forecasts of higher petrol prices and ongoing concerns over rising interest rates.

"By any measure it's a remarkably strong start to the year and one that has probably taken even the optimists in our industry slightly by surprise," Mr Sturrock said.

"Consumers appear to have shaken off any lingering concerns about fuel prices and interest rates and have responded enthusiastically to the intensely competitive prices being offered in dealerships."

Despite the record performance, the FCAI left its full year forecast unchanged at 970,000 vehicles, marginally up on the 962,666 sold last year.

It still anticipated a softening of demand in the run-up to the federal election.

Mr Sturrock said sales grew in almost every segment of the market last month with demand even for large cars increasing by 4.7 per cent.

The fastest growing segment remained the small car sector with sales rising by 16.7 per cent to the end of March.

Toyota was the top selling company in March with 21,390 vehicles ahead of Holden on 13,454 and Ford on 10,074.

Toyota was also well ahead on a year-to-date basis with 56,230 vehicles compared to 37,795 for Holden and 26,685 for Ford.

The company's market dominance was further emphasised with Toyota having five of the top 10 selling vehicles in the country last month.

Import companies Mazda and Honda also reported record results in March with Mazda's sales topping 7000 units for the first time and Honda's nudging 6000.

Despite trailing overall, Holden had the best selling car again last month with the Commodore finding 5752 new owners.

Next best was the Toyota Corolla on 4029 with the Ford Falcon on 3249.

Other top selling vehicles included the Mazda 3 (3182), Toyota Yaris (2702), Toyota Camry (2574), Toyota HiLux 4x4 (2407), Nissan Navara 4x4 (2248), Toyota Aurion (2037) and the Hyundai Getz (1895).

-- aap

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