May sales down... But only just!

May new vehicles sales failed to top last year's mark -- just. That's the news from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) this week.

In announcing the May 2006 new car stats, the industry body called the sales performance "slightly softer".

The hard numbers saw a total of 83,457 cars trucks and buses sold last month -- just 0.6 per cent (497 vehicles) down on May 2005. This was an improvement in month-on-month terms in comparison to April (down 10.2 per cent on 05).

“When considered against the backdrop of recent high fuel prices and last month’s interest rate rise, the performance of the motor vehicle market is very encouraging,” said FCAI chief executive, Peter Sturrock.

Mr Sturrock said that despite April and Feb's sub-2005 sales the projected annual sales total for 2006 was still "tracking closely" to the industry body’s forecast of 980,000. Last year's total of 988,269 was an all-time record.

May year-to-date (YTD) sales totalled 383,712 -- 11,221 vehicles and 2.8 per cent down on the same period last year.

According to the FCAI, fuel prices continued to influence buying patterns last month, with sales of Light cars up 29.2 per cent and Small cars up 9.9 per cent on the same month last year.

Year-to-date Light car sales have grown more than any other segment of the market – up 8553 or almost 23 per cent.

The next strongest segment YTD is peoplemovers posting growth on 2005 of 5.6 per cent.

May YTD sales of large passenger cars and SUVs were down 15,106 units (21.6 per cent) and 6729 units (8.8 per cent) respectively. There's much discussion on the reasons for this, though the lack of new 'stock' in this segment continues to be a factor. With Holden's new VE Commodore (see CarPoint's scoop pics here) and Toyota's Camry/Aurion pairing not too far away, expect this segment to bounce back later in 2006. To what extent is the $64,000 (and then some) question.

Some sub-categories of the SUV segment bucked the overall trend, with four-wheel drive light commercials up 10.2 per cent YTD and Luxury SUVs 14.4 per cent up YTD.

“The strong sales of four-wheel-drive utes indicates both the continuing confidence of the business community but also that a lot of these vehicles are being bought with a view to personal recreational use,” said Sturrock.

Toyota was the top-selling brand in May with 18,310, 7.6 per cent up YTD with 82,227 sales. Number two Holden was almost 17 per cent down YTD with 12,012 (60,792 YTD) units followed by Ford with 11,145, 9.8 per cent down YTD (48,496).

Toyota's Yaris Light car has already sold more than 10,250 units in 2006. This compares to the 7682 Echos (the model the Yaris replaced) sold YTD May 2005. Rav 4, Prius, HiLux, HiAce, Tarago and Avensis are all better than 20 per cent up year on year.

Mazda's number four position (May and YTD) is safe though at 27,193 units YTD it's down 2.5 per cent on the same time in 2005.

The real battle ground is fifth through to eighth with Hyundai (20,148), Nissan (20,860) and Honda (20,363) nipping at Mitsubishi's heels (21,754). The fourth Aussie car builder's 380 large car performed better in May logging 1201 units.

As you'd expect the top percentage YTD improvers were niche marques, however, a number showed strong unit growth in their respective marketplaces. These included Chrysler (up 59 per cent), Land Rover (50.7), Lexus (27.6) and Saab (36.9).