SUV Demand Continues to Drive Market in September 2015

Sales of new motor vehicles in September continued the 2015 trend with growth up 6.8% compared to sales in September 2014. In total, Australians purchased 101,392 vehicles in September 2015, up 6,414 units compared to the previous September. Year to date new vehicle sales in 2015 now total 862,832, 3.6% higher than for the same period in 2014.

Sales in the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria rose compared to September 2015, while sales in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia declined by 13.2%, 3.9% and 8.8% respectively. Amongst the growth states New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria had very strong results with sales increases of 11.8% (3,595), 7.9% (1,497) and 7.8% (2,005) respectively.

The Chief Executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Tony Weber, said “the continued growth in the market indicates support for wider data that suggests vehicle affordability is at an all-time high. The phenomenal growth in the sales of SUVs also indicates the trend towards these vehicles has continued.”

Mr Weber noted that sales of small, medium and large SUVs grew by 24.8%, 27.2% and 20% respectively in September 2015 compared to September 2014 and year to date sales were also up 30%, 14.9% and 7.4% respectively. Passenger vehicles were up by 2% in September 2015 compared to the September 2014 sales.

Toyota has maintained the overall market leadership with sales representing 16.4% of the market, followed by Mazda (10.7%), Holden (9.2%), Hyundai (9.2%) and Mitsubishi (6.8%).

Despite the continued strong growth in demand for SUVs the top selling vehicles remain passenger vehicles, with the Hyundai i30 taking the top spot with sales of 4,490, followed by the Mazda 3 (3,588), the Toyota Corolla (3,530), Toyota Camry (2,522) and Ford Ranger (2,471).

• The September 2015 market of 101,392 new vehicle sales is an increase of 6,414 vehicle sales or 6.8% on September 2014 (94,978 vehicle sales). September 2015 (26.0) had the same number of selling days as September 2014 and this resulted in an increase of 246.7 vehicle sales per day.
• The September 2015 industry volume is up 10,687 or 11.8% on August 2015 (90,705 vehicles).
• The Passenger Vehicle Market is up by 902 vehicle sales (2.0%) over the same month last year; the Sports Utility Market is up by 6,929 vehicle sales (23.1%) the Light Commercial Market is down by 1483 vehicle sales (-8.7%); and the Heavy Commercial Vehicle Market is up by 66 sales (2.4%) versus September 2014.
• Toyota was market leader in September, followed by Mazda and Holden. Toyota led Mazda with a margin of 5,730 vehicle sales, or 5.7 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: Sheena Ireland, Communications Manager P: 02 6229 8221 M: 0458 038 555 E: sheena.ireland@fcai.com.au