Economy driving

By Dion Teasdale
THE Australian motor vehicle market continues to head towards a new annual record, driven by a big increase in demand for smaller cars and light trucks.
Figures released last week by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show that 84,440 vehicles were sold in September – an increase of 5.0 per cent on the same month last year.
Within the overall total the small passenger car segment was the big mover, its volume increasing by 5624 cars or 38.1 per cent monthonmonth.
This trend was backed by growth in the smaller light car segment, which grew by 1151 or 16.3 per cent over September last year.
“September’s sales continue the down sizing trend of recent months.
“It’s clear that this trend has been magnified by the recent impact of higher petrol prices,” FCAI chief executive Peter Sturrock said.
The topselling model last month was Toyota Corolla with 4950 sales.
The last time a small car topped the sales charts was June 1998 when Hyundai’s Excel sold 8663.
“While small cars are clearly flavour of the moment, sales of large 4WD utes in the light truck market are also booming – and many of them would have been bought by private motorists,” Mr Sturrock said.
The light truck market was up by 1228 vehicles or 9.3 per cent monthonmonth, driven primarily by a spike in pickup/cab chassis 4X4 segment which was up by 1092 or 24.4 per cent over September last year.
Mr Sturrock said that, after three quarters of sales, it is clear that the annual total will top last year’s record of 955,229.
“There’s no reason to expect car buyers will put the brakes on now – especially given the launch of several important new volume models at next week’s Australian International Motor Show in Sydney,” he said.
Among the new models launched at the motor show will be the new Mitsubishi 380 and Ford BF Falcon, which Mr Sturrock said are likely to help arrest the current softening in the large car segment, which is down 12.2 per cent for the year to date.
The topselling motor vehicle brand in September was Toyota with 19,192 or 22.7 per cent share of the market, ahead of Holden with 14,056 (16.6 per cent) and Ford (10,127 and 12.0 per cent).
Mazda was fourth with 4931 (5.8 per cent) just ahead of local manufacturer Mitsubishi with 4684 (5.5 per cent).
On a yeartodate basis, Toyota continues to lead the market with 151,503 sales ahead of Holden with 133,641.