VFACTS for August: Election, what election?

As the VFACTS sales figures for August 2010 roll in, the Australian new car market recorded another increase, indicative of the industry's continued strength. Indeed, despite political uncertainty after the 2010 federal election ended in a hung parliament, the new car market has remained buoyant.

The official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive (FCAI) shows that 82,122 new cars (passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles) were sold during the month of August 2010, this figure representing a national sales increase of 12.1 per cent compared to the August 2009 figures. Year-to-date figures are likewise positive, up 15.2% on the previous year with 695,666 vehicles sold thus far in 2010.

The major market drivers in August 2010 were SUVs and 4WDs, whose sales were up by almost a third.

"This is a strong August result with sales of SUVs showing a particularly healthy increase," said Andrew McKellar, Chief Executive of the FCAI.

"The figures show sales to private buyers remain solid and there has been a lift in new car purchases by government fleets," McKellar said.

Government fleet purchases were up by more than 20%, while SUV sales increased 32.5% compared to the same month last year. Sales of light commercial vehicles, such as utes and vans, rose by 22.6% while passenger cars saw a much milder improvement of just 3.5%.

"There is no evidence in the August data to suggest customers were distracted from their normal buying habits due to the election and the current political uncertainty," he said.

For the record, Toyota was once again the top-selling car brand in Australia selling 16,633 cars in August 2010. Holden took out second spot of the sales podium (11,146 units) and Ford was third (8212).

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