Aussie car sales dip in September

The Australian Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) reports that three of the growth segments in the Australian new vehicle market continued to rise in September, despite a 2.4 per cent dip in the overall market compared with the same month last year. The chief executive of the FCAI, Tony Weber, said that while there was a modest sales fall in September, strong activity was recorded across several key segments. A total of 100,200 new vehicles sales were recorded in Australia last month, a fall of 2.4 per cent compared with September 2016, according to the industry’s official statistical service VFACTS. “Any month over 100,000 total sales has to be seen as a strong outcome, proving there is continued value for the consumer in the market,” Weber said. Market leader Toyota recorded a 1.07 per cent rise in sales during September for a dominant 17.3 per cent share overall, followed by Mazda with 10.3 per cent, Hyundai with 8.1 per cent, Mitsubishi with 7.1 per cent and Holden with 6.9 per cent. The Ford Ranger light commercial was Australia’s top-selling vehicle for September with 4,318 sales, followed by the Toyota Hilux with 3,822, Toyota Corolla with 3,055, Mazda3 with 2,776 and Holden Commodore with 2,547. Utes and cab-chassis 4X4 light commercial vehicles, together with small and medium SUVs were the three growth segments during September. The 4X4 light commercials were up 11 per cent, small SUVs rose 7.9 per cent and medium SUVs increased 3.3 per cent compared with September 2016. SUV and light commercials remain the two robust areas of the market, accounting for a 58.8 per cent share of total sales year to date, up from 56 per cent in 2016. The overall market remained 0.2 per cent ahead of last year’s record total on a year to date basis.