Holidays Put Brakes on Oz New-Vehicle Market in April

Strong growth in light-commercial-vehicle deliveries failed to overcome a slide in car demand, as Australia’s new-vehicle sales fell 5.1% to 83,135 units in April.

Data from VFACTS, the motor industry’s statistical service, shows the latest result left the 4-month total down 2.8% at 362,480 units.

LCV sales rose 3.1% in April to 17,111 units for a year-to-date total up 1.8% at 68,352.

The big anchor for the market during the month was the car sector, plunging 12.3% to 32,147 units for a 4-month total down 9.2% at 140,779.

Growth also came to a halt for the previously surging SUV segment, dropping 1.3% in April to 31,368, but it remains up 1.7% year-to-date at 142,478 units.

Within the LCV segment, 4X4 utilities jumped 11.1% to 11,882 units, and two models, the Toyota Hilux (3,430 units) and Ford Ranger (3,120), topped April vehicle sales overall.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries says the notable market growth among the segments was in medium SUVs, which grew 10% year-on-year to 12,877 units.

Among cars, the medium segment performed best, down just 0.2% on year-ago to 5,976 units.

Sales to businesses rose 1.7%, but private sales fell 13% and government purchases dropped 14.8%.

FCAI CEO Tony Weber says market activity during the month was impacted by Easter and Anzac Day, the annual homage to those lost in Australia’s wars, and national school holidays.

“There were two less selling days overall in April this year compared with last, but added to this was the dampening effect that the holiday period had on dealership traffic,” Weber says in a statement.

Toyota continued its market domination in April with 16,090 units for a 19.4% share. Mazda was a distant second with an April-record 8,630 units (10.4%), ahead of Hyundai with 6,850 (8.2%), GM Holden with 5,804 (7.0%) and Ford with 5,802 (7.0%).

Among the models following the Hilux and Ranger in April were the Toyota Corolla (2,555 units), Mazda3 (2,313) and Mazda CX-5 (2,166).

After four months, Toyota holds a 17.8% market share, with sales up 2.4% at 64,604 units, well ahead of Mazda on 39,092 (10.8%) and Hyundai with 29,256 (8.1%).

Mitsubishi bucked the market with a 30.9% increase in April deliveries to 5,470 units, helped by 1,451 sales of its ASX compact CUV.