Biggest first half-year

New commercials, and new and used imported passenger vehicles saw strong sales for both the month and the first half-year – with some sectors moving the highest volumes since records began. Sales of new passenger cars reached the highest volume for both the month and first half of the year in 25 years. All three top-selling passenger vehicles were from Toyota: the Rav4 led, with 371 units sold in June, then Corolla with 333 units, and the Highlander, selling 308 units. MTA Dealer Services and Mediation Manager Tony Everett says the strong sales for the first half of the year across all sectors is a healthy indicator of a buoyant market, with strong consumer confidence. “It’s been the biggest new commercial month since our records began in 1981 – as well as the biggest first half. June is historically a big month for commercial vehicles due to Fieldays, but this is exceptional,” Everett says. The used imported passenger segment had the strongest June for nine years, and the strongest first half since 2006. “That we’re seeing these huge sales for the first half suggests these are sustained trends, rather than spikes of short-term exuberance from special deals and the like,” Everett says.