Biggest Month Of Sales In History Steers Toward A Boom Year

A record month and a 2.2 per cent increase over the strong monthly result last year has steered Australia’s new car industry to its best first-half result ever.

An industry record of 128,569 sales for June has boosted Australia’s half-yearly total to 598,140, 3.4 per cent above the same period last year and setting the industry firmly on track for another record year.

In releasing the June 2016 new car sales figures (VFACTS), FCAI Chief Executive said that the outstanding June result scotched any suggestion that a Federal election campaign may have a dampening effect on consumer activity, and buyers responded vigorously to the value that was on offer in the marketplace.

“The end of the financial year historically is always very busy for the industry but this was an exceptional month,” Mr Weber said.

“This time the final month of the financial year led right into a Federal election and yet despite some suggestions this may stifle consumer sentiment, the market continued its strong momentum,” Mr Weber said.

“Without any doubt this proves that competition is fierce, this is providing an important stimulative effect on our economy, and the current market environment is at its healthiest in decades by delivering affordable vehicles that are attractive to customers.

“Consumers are recognising the great value generated by this competition and have responded accordingly off the back of record low interest rates.”

SUVs were again the dominant force in the market, with sales up 8.9 per cent on the same month last year. Small SUVs were the strongest performers in this segment, recording a rise of 18.2 per cent over June last year. Passenger motor vehicle sales fell 4.5 per cent while light commercials – in particular, 4X4 pick-ups and cab-chassis – increased 5.9 per cent on June 2015.

Light commercial and SUV sales to business were up by 16.4 and 18.7 per cent respectively, compared with the same month last year. Of note was the significant increase – 37.6 per cent – in the sale of diesel SUVs to non-private buyers.

Interestingly, while the June market for passenger cars showed a slight overall decline, the appeal of locally manufactured passenger cars increased by 189, to 9,857, over the same month last year.

The top five best-sellers in June were the Hyundai i30, with a notable 6,432 result, followed by the Toyota Hilux (4,613), Toyota Corolla (4,427), Mazda3 (4,112) and the Ford Ranger (4,078).

Toyota sold 22,083 cars in June and had a dominant 17.2 per cent share of the overall market, followed by Mazda (9.7), Hyundai (9.6), Holden (8.8), and Mitsubishi (6.8).

Key Points:

• The June 2016 market of 128,569 new vehicle sales is an increase of 2,719 vehicle sales or 2.2% on June 2015 (125,850) vehicle sales. June 2016 (26.0) had the same number of selling days as June 2015, which resulted in an increase of 104.6 vehicle sales per day.
• The June 2016 industry volume is up 31,897 or 33.0% on May 2016 (96,672) vehicles.
• The Passenger Vehicle Market is down 2,554 vehicle sales (-4.5%) over the same month last year; the Sports Utility Market is up by 3,755 vehicle sales(8.9%); the Light Commercial Market is up by 1,399 vehicle sales (5.9%); and the Heavy Commercial Vehicle Market is up by 119 vehicle sales (3.4%) versus June 2015.
• Toyota was market leader in June, followed by Mazda and Hyundai. Toyota led Mazda with a margin of 9,628 vehicle sales, or 7.5 market share points.

VFACTS monthly vehicle sales data is available at Midday on the 3rd working day after the end of every month. Select data and media releases on the sales results are available at www.fcai.com.au

For further information contact:Peter BrewerP: 02 6229 8221E: peterbrewer@fcai.com.au