Record April: million mark now in sights
Another record month of new vehicle sales has the Aussie automotive industry admitting the million mark is "very likely"The Australian new vehicle market has posted another record month. Official VFACTS figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) Thursday stated that 75,614 cars, trucks and buses were sold in the month of April.
Indeed, despite Easter and reduced selling days, the figure is up 6964 units and 10.1 per cent on the same month last year.
The record April means the new vehicle market is up 9.0 per cent on the first four months of 2006 and 5.5 per cent better than the same period in the record overall sales year of 2005.
According to FCAI chief executive, Peter Sturrock, the continued strong sales figures mean the million vehicle mark is now in the industry’s sights.
"On the present bullish sales trends it is very likely that by the end of 2007 we will reach one million annual motor vehicle sales for the first time ever," he said.
He also stated sales of locally produced cars were particularly encouraging in April.
The Large passenger car segment was up 15.1 per cent in April and is now up 4.5 per cent for the year to date, the FCAI stated. In addition, the Upper Large segment -- which includes Australian-made Ford and Holden long-wheelbase models -- was up 51.0 per cent in April and 43.0 per cent for the year so far.
In the Medium segment, the FCAI stated, sales of the Australian-built Toyota Camry were up 57.0 per cent last month and 32.1 per cent year-to-date.
Other examples Mr Sturrock gave of the robust nature of the industry were the four-wheel-drive Pick-up and Compact SUV segments. According to the FCAI, the 4x4 utes are up 29.0 per cent YOY, with the softroaders up a staggering 45.3 per cent in April on the back of new model launches.
Toyota was the top brand in April with 16,383 units sold followed by Holden (11,166) and Ford (7741). Holding the next four places were Mazda, Honda, Mitsubishi and Nissan -- all of which achieved sales gains over the same month last year.
The Carsales Network will look at the record sales Aussie new car year to date more closely in the coming week.
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