New Car Sales Up 8% In March 2015

Australia’s new car market was very strong in March 2015, with sales up 8 per cent on March 2014 figures. The total 105,054 sales is the largest March sales market ever recorded.

The strong results coincide with the March 2015 release of CommSec’s Car Affordability Index, which found car affordability is the best it has been in the 40 years since the Index began.

Releasing the March 2015 new car sales figures, FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said the popularity of versatile SUVs and light commercial vehicles shows no signs of slowing down with sales in the SUV segment up 15.3 per cent on March 2014 sales, and up 15.4 per cent year-to-date.

“Light commercial vehicle sales increased 10.1 per cent compared to March 2014 sales. Year-to-date, light commercial vehicles are up 4.6 per cent,” Mr Weber said.

“In particular, we saw private purchases of light commercial vehicles increase significantly in March 2015, with sales up 33.4 per cent. The versatility of these vehicles makes them a popular choice for many Australians, providing the capacity needed for work, leisure and family activities.”

Private purchases of SUVs increased 15.6 per cent, and private purchases of passenger cars decreased 1.9 per cent.

Business buyers were drawn to passenger cars and SUVs last month, with sales up 9.3 and 10.9 per cent, respectively.

Business purchases of light commercial vehicles fell 4.4 per cent. Government buyers purchased 4.4 per cent more passenger cars, 17.7 per cent more SUVs and 9.9 per cent more light commercial vehicles.

Sales were strong across most of the country with sales in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales up more than 10 per cent, sales in Queensland up 12.1 per cent, the Northern Territory was up 6.6 per cent, Tasmania 7.1 per cent and Victoria 8.5 per cent. A slight fall of 0.4 per cent was recorded in South Australia and a fall of 2.9 per cent in Western Australia.

The Toyota Corolla was the top selling car in March 2015, with 4,261 vehicles sold. The Corolla was followed by the Mazda3 (3,558), Toyota Hilux (3,346), Mitsubishi Triton (2,940) and Holden Commodore (2,436).

Toyota was the highest selling brand in March 2015 with 18.2 per cent of the market. Toyota was followed by Mazda with 9.7 per cent, Hyundai with 8.3 per cent, Holden with 8.2 per cent, and Nissan with 6.8 per cent.

Key Points:

• The March 2015 market of 105,054 new vehicle sales is an increase of 7,787 vehicle sales or 8.0% on March 2014 (97,267 vehicle sales). March 2015 (26.0) had the same amount of selling days as March 2014 (26.0) and this resulted in an increase of 299.5 vehicle sales per day.
• The March 2015 industry volume is up 14,630 or 14.9% on February 2015 (90,424 vehicles).
• The Passenger Vehicle Market is up by 1,109 vehicle sales (2.4%) over the same month last year; the Sports Utility Market is up by 4,722 vehicle sales (15.3%); the Light Commercial Market is up by 1,689 vehicle sales (10.1%); and the Heavy Commercial Vehicle Market is up by 267 sales (10.0%) versus March 2014.
• Toyota was market leader in March, followed by Mazda and Holden. Toyota led Mazda with a margin of 8,865 vehicle sales, or 8.5 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: Sheena Ireland, Communications Manager P: 02 6229 8221 M: 0458 038 555 E: sheena.ireland@fcai.com.au