New Car Sales Reach Record Heights In 2015

Australia has a new car sales record with Australians buying 1,155,408 new passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles in 2015. Vehicle sales in December 2015 totalled 99,616, up almost 3 per cent on December 2014 sales.

The 1,155,408 sales are 1.7 per cent higher than the previous record year, 2013, in which Australians bought 1,136,227 new vehicles. It is also 3.8 per cent higher than 2014 sales.

Releasing the 2015 full-year sales results, FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said the addition of new models with significant performance and comfort attributes, combined with the existing vehicle mix, continued to make Australia one of the most competitive new car markets in the world.

“The high level of choice in the Australian new car market is delivering Australian consumers’ access to high-quality vehicles at record affordability levels,” Mr Weber said.

“In addition, the competitiveness of the market has seen new car buyers access an extensive range of finance options and genuine service offers that maintain the value and integrity of the vehicle.

“It is clear that there has never been a better time to buy a new car.”

Mr Weber said SUV sales in particular continued to boom in 2015, with the vehicle type now accounting for around 35.4 per cent of the market, up from 31.7 per cent in 2014.

“Despite the significant rise in SUV sales over the past few years, passenger cars still hold some popularity,” Mr Weber said. “The segment is still the largest selling segment, holding 44.6 per cent of the total market in 2015.”

Light commercial vehicles held 17.2 per cent of the market in 2015, roughly the same as in 2014 (17.8).

The Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria all saw growth in 2015, with sales up 4.4, 6.9, 5.4,12 and 4.2 per cent, respectively, compared to 2014. Sales fell in the Northern Territory (-4.3%), South Australia (-0.8%) and Western Australia (-7.9%).

Private sales increased by 3.7 per cent compared to 2014 and business sales increased by 4.9 per cent. Government purchases declined 1.4 per cent.

Toyota was the top selling brand with 17.8 per cent of the market. Toyota was followed by Mazda with 9.9 per cent, Holden with 8.9 per cent, Hyundai with 8.8 per cent and Mitsubishi with 6.2 per cent.

Australia’s best-selling car in 2015 was the Toyota Corolla with 42,073 sales. The Corolla was followed by the Mazda3 (38,644), the Toyota Hilux (35,161), the Hyundai i30 (32,306) and the Ford Ranger (29,185).

Key Points:

• The December 2015 market of 99,616 new vehicle sales is an increase of 2,807 vehicle sales or 2.9% on December 2014 (96,809 vehicle sales). December 2015 (27.0) had the same number of selling days as December 2014 and this resulted in an increase of 104.0 vehicle sales per day.
• The December 2015 industry volume is up 977 or 1.0% on November 2015 (98,639 vehicles).
• The Passenger Vehicle Market is down by 867 vehicle sales (-1.9%) over the same month last year; the Sports Utility Market is up by 4,761 vehicle sales (15.5%) the Light Commercial Market is down by 1,304 vehicle sales (-7.1%); and the Heavy Commercial Vehicle Market is up by 217 sales (7.6%) versus December 2014.
• Toyota was market leader in December, followed by Mazda and Holden. Toyota led Mazda with a margin of 11,509 vehicle sales, or 11.6 market share

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