SUV Sales Overtake Passenger Cars for First Time Ever

The month of February produced a landmark shift in Australian automotive history when national sales of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) overtook those of passenger cars for the first time on a monthly basis according to the official VFACTS sales figures released by Australia’s peak industry body, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, today.

SUVs totalled 35,497 sales during February to record a 39.9 per cent share of total industry sales. Passenger cars totalled 34,740 for a 39.0 per cent share. Light commercials were the third largest segment with an 18.5 per cent share.

The Chief Executive of the FCAI, Tony Weber, described February’s results as part of the evolution that has been occurring in the composition of the national vehicle market over many years.

“The steady, demonstrable shift in consumer preference which has been occurring in the past few years has culminated in this February outcome,” Mr Weber said.

“Of course, this one monthly outcome doesn’t signal a landslide but clearly Australian buyers are attracted by the features and capabilities of new generation SUVs, and how these types of vehicles suit their needs and lifestyles.”

Motor vehicle sales overall recorded a 7.7 per cent fall in volume during February compared with the same month in 2016.

Mr Weber said that the February 2017 result had to be put into context, given February 2016 produced such an unusually strong outcome.

“It’s important to look at sales results in the proper context because February 2016 was an unusually strong month. It included one extra selling day and saw a lot of activity in the market. This resulted in a 6.7 per cent surge over February 2015,” he said.

Passenger vehicle sales were the most affected by February’s decline, down 12.2 per cent. Sales of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) fell 3.7 per cent, while light commercials dropped 5.6 per cent.

In percentage terms, Western Australia showed the most marked fall. Its market dropped by 13.7 per cent, or 1,199 vehicle sales, followed by the Northern Territory (-10.7%), South Australia (-10.6%), New South Wales (-7.4%), Victoria (-7.0%) and Queensland (-6.6%). Tasmania (+1.1%) and the ACT (+0.3%) were the only two markets to show an increase.

Sales of sports cars and micro cars rose in February compared with the same month last year, but all other passenger car segments declined.

Two SUV segments rose in volume during February. These were upper large SUVs (up 19.6 per cent) and medium-sized SUVs (+1.1%). Sales of small SUVs fell by 11 per cent and large SUVs by 5.7 per cent.

The nation’s top-selling vehicle in February was the Toyota Corolla, which led the market with 3,392 sales. It was followed by the Toyota Hilux (3,386), the Mazda3 (3,143), Ford Ranger (2,931), and Hyundai i30 (2,003).

Toyota was the leading brand in February with a 18.3 per cent share of the total industry, followed by Mazda (11.1%), Hyundai (7.9%), Mitsubishi (6.5%), and Holden (6.4%).

Key Points:

• The February 2017 market of 89,025 new vehicle sales is a decrease of 7,418 vehicle sales or -7.7% on February 2016 (96,443) vehicle sales. February 2017 (24) had the one less selling day than February 2016, which resulted in a decrease of 148.3 vehicle sales per day.
• The Passenger Vehicle Market is down 4,818 vehicle sales (-12.2%) over the same month last year; the Sports Utility Market is down by 1,368 vehicle sales (-3.7%); the Light Commercial Market is down by 988 vehicle sales (-5.6%); and the Heavy Commercial Vehicle Market is down by 244 vehicle sales (-9.7%) versus February 2016.
• Toyota was market leader in February, followed by Mazda and Hyundai. Toyota led Mazda with a margin of 6,385 vehicle sales and 7.2 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