SUV Sales Hold Up In Lower June Result

The Australian market for new vehicles slowed in June compared with the same period in 2017, with the total market down 2.9 per cent, according to the latest data released today by the motor industry’s official statistical service, VFACTS.

Notably, the three top-selling vehicles during June were light commercial vehicles, with the Toyota Hilux leading the market ahead of the Ford Ranger and the Mitsubishi Triton third.

Total sales last month were 130,300, compared with last year’s June record of 134,171.

The year-to-date 2018 results show the total vehicle market still running at 1 per cent higher than the first six months of 2017.

Passenger car sales showed a significant decline in June, falling 17.9 per cent compared with the same month in 2017. Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) continued to strengthen last month, sales increasing by 9.3 per cent over June 2017. Light commercials were relatively steady in June with a 0.3 per cent increase over June 2017.

SUVs held a dominant 43.1 per cent share of the June market, with the passenger car share at 31.9 per cent, and light commercials at 21.8 per cent.

Among the passenger cars, the micro segment was the only one to show an increase, jumping by 58.9 per cent albeit off relatively low volumes.

The small and medium segments were the main contributors to the growth in SUV sales during June. Small SUVs rose 32.2 per cent, and medium SUVs by 7.3 per cent.

Year to date, light commercial sales in general, like the SUVs, continue to show growth and now account for 20.3 per cent of the total market, up from 19.8 per cent for the corresponding six months of 2017.

There were declines in purchasing across all buyer types in June (other than rental), with private sales down 7.8 per cent, business down 1.5 per cent and government down 5.1 per cent. On a year-to-date basis, business and rental sales are still running ahead of last year.

The five top-sellers for June were the Toyota Hilux (5,787), Ford Ranger (4,768), Mitsubishi Triton (3,919), Toyota Corolla (3,780) and Hyundai i30 (3,547).

Toyota led the market with a 17.8 per cent share, followed by Mazda (9.6%), Hyundai (8.0%), Mitsubishi (7.9%), and Ford (5.7%).

Key Points:

• The June 2018 market of 130,300 new vehicle sales is a decrease of 3,871 vehicle sales or -2.9% on June 2017 (134,171) vehicle sales. June 2018 (25.2) had 0.2 more selling days than June 2017 (25.0) but this resulted in a decrease of 196.2 vehicle sales per day.
• The Passenger Vehicle Market is down by 9,085 vehicle sales (-17.9%) over the same month last year; the Sports Utility Market is up by 4,769 vehicle sales (9.3%); the Light Commercial Market is up by 93 vehicle sales (0.3%); and the Heavy Commercial Vehicle Market is up by 352 vehicle sales (9.1%) versus June 2017.
• Toyota was market leader in June, followed by Mazda and Hyundai. Toyota led Mazda with a margin of 10,702 vehicle sales and 7.8 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 Brewer

P: 02 6229 8221

E: peterbrewer@fcai.com.au