September Surge Keeps Oz Sales on Record Track

The Australian car market remained on track for another record, with September sales up 6.8% to 101,392 units for a year-to-date total ahead 3.6% at 862,832.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries CEO Tony Weber says the continued growth indicates support for wider data suggesting vehicle affordability is at unprecedented levels.

“The phenomenal growth in the sales of SUVs also indicates the trend towards these vehicles has continued,” Weber says in a statement.

September sales of SUVs jumped 23.1% to 36,968 units, with small, medium and large SUVs up 24.8%, 27.2% and 20%, respectively. After nine months, SUV deliveries were ahead 15.4% at 302,218 units with small, medium and large models up 30%, 14.9% and 7.4%, respectively.

Passenger-vehicle deliveries were up 2% in September from a year ago at 46,084 units, but were down 2.8% year-to-date at 388,929. Light-commercial-vehicle sales fell 8.7% for the month to 15,476 units, but were up 0.2% year-to-date at 148,117.

Toyota remained Australia’s top-selling brand with 16,594 deliveries in September for a 16.4% market share. Mazda sold 10,864 units (10.7%), ahead of GM Holden, 9,326 (9.2%); Hyundai, 9,311 (9.2%); and Mitsubishi, 6,937 (6.8%).

But Toyota’s year-to-date sales lead weakened slightly with its 9-month total edging down 0.9% to 149,653 units. Second-place Mazda saw its year-to-date sales climb 11.7% to 85,977 units, while Hyundai deliveries increased 2.8% to 77,426.

Despite the strong growth in demand for SUVs, passenger vehicles remained the best sellers in September, with the Hyundai i30 on top with with 4,490 deliveries, followed by the Mazda3 (3,588), Toyota Corolla (3,530) and Toyota Camry (2,522).

Ford languished in sixth place with September sales of 5,823 units for a 9-month total down 16% at 51,734, but the updated Ranger was Australia’s top-selling pickup with deliveries of 2,471 units, also making it the fifth best-selling vehicle for the month.

The Camry was Australia’s best-selling locally built car for the month with sales up 16% from like-2014. Deliveries were split between 1,939 gasoline and 583 hybrid versions. The result put the Camry on course for a 22nd consecutive year as the country’s best-selling midsize car. It also is Australia’s top-selling hybrid vehicle.

Toyota Sales and Marketing Executive Director Tony Cramb says the automaker is planning a strong push during the final quarter of 2015 with many new and improved models, including 31 variants of the all-new eighth-generation HiLux pickup range.

Volkswagen, yet to feel the effects of the emissions cheating scandal, saw its September sales rise 14.7% to 5,124 units for a 9-month total up 14% at 46,848. But it has pulled its new diesel passenger cars across the VW, Audi and Skoda brands.

Federal Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects Paul Fletcher says VW and Audi officials met last week with federal officials and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and promised to update them on whether models sold to Australians have the emissions-cheating devices installed.