Sales track upwards

The Motor Industry Association (MIA) is predicting the new-vehicle industry may top 130,000 registrations for the first time after bumper sales in August. Total registrations last month were up by 10 per cent at 1,003 units compared to same month of last year. “The new-vehicle market continues to defy general economic indicators with sales in August up by 10 per cent on August 2014 and delivering a steady five per cent growth for the year to date,” says John Manley, president of the MIA. “Given the year-to-date sales position, it’s likely the industry will break the 130,000-unit barrier in 2015 for the first time.” Toyota remained the overall market leader with a 21 per cent market share and 2,302 registrations during August. It was followed by Ford with 11 per cent (1,226 units) and Holden on nine per cent (1,016). Year to date, Toyota, Holden and Ford remain the overall market leaders. New passenger car registrations of 7,752 units in August were up by 669 – or by 9.4 per cent – on August 2014’s total of 7,083 for their strongest August since 1986. Toyota remained the leader in this section of the market with a 20 per cent market share and 1,512 units. It was followed by Mazda with 10 per cent (743) and Holden with nine per cent (721). Year to date, Toyota, Holden and Mazda remain as the leaders in the passenger vehicle market. Having been displaced in recent months, Toyota’s Corolla was once again the top-selling car with 621 registrations. It was followed by the Toyota RAV4 on 269 and the Mazda 3 on 240. SUVs claimed a market share of 34 per cent during August and 33 per cent year to date. The pick-up and chassis-cab segment was the second strongest with 22 per cent in August and sits on 21 per cent for the year. The small passenger vehicle segment was the third biggest on 15 and 14 per cent respectively.