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NEWS
VFACTS for October: Fleets drag down sales
Private buyers were out in force last month, but business and government held back market by 3.1 per centThe Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) claims that buyers remain uncertain about the means of calculating fringe benefits tax payable on vehicles – and how it will affect them.
Word is yet to reach those buyers that there's a new government in power, according to Tony Weber, Chief Executive of the FCAI. That would explain a 3.1 per cent drop in sales during October, based on year-on-year VFACTS data.
"The October data leads us to conclude there is still confusion in the market following the previous government's FBT proposal," Weber was quoted saying in a press release.
"It is hard to have any other explanation for the 3.1 per cent fall in the automotive market, particularly given a number of positive economic indicators across the broader economy in recent weeks.
"I want people to know the FBT system has reverted to the status quo that existed before 16 July."
VFACTS data reveals that private vehicle sales actually rose by 4.4 per cent across October, but business sales fell back 10.5 per cent, and government sales – possibly reflecting the Abbott government's commitment to cost cutting – was down 7.8 per cent, in contrast with October 2012.
Despite the slump in October, the overall market (942,547) remains ahead of the same period last year by 24,289 sales or 2.6 per cent. And seasonally adjusted, the market is headed for a calendar year total of 1.133 million vehicles.
For October the total market amounted to 92,603 – 2981 fewer than October 2012. Passenger cars sold in lower numbers last month, but possibly marking a step change in buying habits, sports cars and large cars sold more than for the same month last year, whereas light (-550) and medium cars (-2161) accounted for the bulk of sales decline in the class. Small cars (-4) stagnated – against a back drop of 6.6 per cent sales volume growth over the full year to date.
While SUV sales were up for the month, that was principally led by small SUVs, which grew by 1845 sales, year on year. All other segments in the SUV class lost ground, suggesting that the small SUVs are making conquests in other SUV segments, as well as in traditional light, small and medium passenger car segments.
But the slump in light commercial vehicles looks to be a case of stalled business confidence, as the FCAI suggests. Light commercials recorded 1046 fewer sales for the month overall, despite an increase in private sales.
"Private sales of light commercials rose significantly, up 31.6 per cent compared to October 2012; however, total light commercial sales fell 5.9 per cent," explained Tony Weber.
It wasn't all doom and gloom however – even in the flat small-car segment. Toyota's Corolla remains ahead of Mazda3 in year-to-date sales, but Mazda has been claiming new sales records in October.
Toyota sold 18,129 vehicles for the month, something like 72 per cent ahead of second-placed Holden with 10,528 sales. The October result kept Holden in second spot for year-to-date sales. Mazda sold 3613 units of Mazda3, but warns that the run-out of the current car is likely to leave them with little stock remaining prior to the introduction of the third-generation model next year. The importer posted a new sales record (7967 vehicles sold in October), of which both the Mazda3 and CX-5 contributed their share.
Top selling brands for the year to date are: Toyota (176,922), Holden (92,432), Mazda (86,219), Hyundai (80,729), Ford (72,450), Nissan (64,746), Mitsubishi (59,674), Volkswagen (45,240), Honda (34,112) and Subaru (32,308). Of the companies in the top ten, Mazda, Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Honda have increased sales for the year to date.
The 10 best selling cars during the month of October were: Toyota Corolla (3861), Mazda3 (3613), Holden Commodore (3315), Toyota Hilux (3172), Hyundai i30 (2379), Toyota Camry (2251), Ford Ranger (2027), Nissan Navara (1969), Volkswagen Golf (1967) and Holden Cruze (1923).
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Written byKen Gratton
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