Oz LV Sales Set Fourth Consecutive Monthly Record

Australia’s motor industry posted its fourth straight month of record sales with a 1.8% year-on-year rise in August to 96,662 units.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries’ VFACTS statistical service shows the result left the year-to-date total up 0.6% at 788,968 units.

Car sales fell 8.2% in August to 35,783 units, while SUV deliveries climbed 4.7% to 38,116. Light-commercial-vehicle sales soared 16.7% to 19,542 units.

Sales of small SUVs soared 22.8% year-on-year to 10,080 units during the month, while medium SUVs rose 14.0% to 16,173. Light passenger cars rose 7% to 7,336 units.

Among LCVs, sales of pickup and chassis-cab 4X4s rose 23% to 13,610 units.

FCAI CEO Tony Weber says sales to private buyers during the month provided the impetus.

While private SUV sales rose 7.6%, the big gain was in private LCV sales, which jumped 23.4%. LCV sales to businesses recorded a 12.8% year-on-year increase.

Diesels remained the preferred engine of choice among LCV buyers in August. Sales of diesel-powered LCVs to private and non-private buyers rose 26.3% and 18.8%, respectively.

Weber says the rise of SUVs and light commercials is driving the industry’s growth.

“More new models coming into the market in both these segments is creating strong consumer interest and helping to fuel the industry’s momentum,” he says in a statement.

Toyota had a market-leading 19.2% share in August with 18,511 deliveries, ahead of Mazda (8,511), Hyundai (7,800), GM Holden (6,984), Mitsubishi (6,649) and Ford (6,645).

The Toyota HiLux stayed on top as the best-selling vehicle in August with 4,287 units, followed by the Ford Ranger (3,588), Toyota Corolla (2,948), Hyundai Tucson (2,206) and Mazda3 (2,163).

With eight months of the year completed, car sales were off 6.9% at 301,792 units, while SUV sales were up 5.5% at 308,595 units. LCV deliveries climbed 6.1% to 155,553 units.

The HiLux has topped the sales charts for six months, the only vehicle of its type to enjoy such a winning streak. August marked the fourth time this year it has set a monthly sales record.

So far this year, HiLux sales have risen 13.7% to a record 31,407 units, putting it on track to be the year’s best-selling vehicle for a second year in a row.

Year-to-date Toyota has delivered 145,468 units, well ahead of Mazda (79,535), Hyundai (65,120), GM Holden (55,564), Ford (53,620) and Mitsubishi (52,342).

Toyota Australia Sales and Marketing Executive Director Tony Cramb says the brand has held a market share of more than 19% for seven of the past 14 months.

At Ford Australia the Mustang topped Aussie sports-car sales for the 20th straight month with 748 units, becoming the muscle car’s No.1 global market for the right-hand drive configuration.

Year-to-date 6,715 Mustangs were sold, already beating the full-2016 result of 6,208 units.

Sales Director Greg Davidson says Ford Australia has worked with the parent company to help reduce the wait for Australian customers.

“We secured additional supply of right-hand-drive Mustangs, which has helped those looking to own this icon realize the goal sooner,” he says. “In fact, if you order a Mustang convertible now, you’re likely to have it in time for summer.”

Subaru laid claim to being Australia’s fastest-growing top-10 brand with August sales up 36.2% at 4,579 units for an 8-month total ahead 13.1% at 34,806 units.

Managing Director Colin Christie says August was Subaru’s 32nd consecutive month of growth.