Deals send sales soaring

SUVs and utes lead way as record numbers drive off the lot

AUSTRALIANS bought more new vehicles last month than any other time in our automotive history — as our taste in cars continues to change.

Official figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries show 134,171 vehicles were reported as sold, up 4.4 per cent on the same month last year and the third record June in a row.

The figures are based on sales information supplied by the car industry and are then forwarded to the Australian Bureau of Statistics — but they are not based on registrations.

Industry insiders say it can take several months for about 10 per cent of vehicles reported as sold to be registered and delivered to paying customers.

Nevertheless, the strong result in June follows a record May — the biggest in four years — showing two months in a row of substantial growth as buyers continue to cash-in on low interest rates.

Market leader Toyota had its best month in years, selling 24,546 vehicles (almost one in five passenger vehicles sold), while there were big upsets at Holden and Ford.

Holden sales dropped by the biggest margin within the Top 10 (down 18.5 per cent). Ford posted a gain with strong sales of the Ranger ute and Mustang sports car — but the brand was outsold by Mitsubishi, which had a big month.

South Korean car maker Kia continued its surge, overtaking Nissan with a 30.3 per cent increase.

The Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger utes were the top two sellers overall in June as demand for sedans and small hatchbacks continued to slide.

Former champions the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 posted sales declines as buyers continue to switch to compact SUVs that fit in the same size parking space but have a taller driving position and roomier cabins and cargo areas.

Hyundai’s Tucson set a record for compact SUV sales, ranking fourth overall and outselling the reigning top seller, the Mazda CX-5.

But utes were the driving force as private buyers and small businesses took advantage of offers in the lead up to the end of the financial year.

Heavy discounts on the Toyota HiLux SR5 and Ford Ranger XLT over the past two months saw record sales for the Ranger, with more than 5000 deliveries, including 4449 four-wheel-drive variants.

This was enough for Ranger 4x4 to outsell the HiLux 4x4 — but the HiLux still led the month overall and continues to lead year-to-date because sales of the two-wheel-drive HiLux push it ahead of Ford.

The score for the first six months of this year when all ute variants are combined: 23,378 (HiLux) versus 21,638 (Ranger).

The Holden Colorado’s tally of 2400 looks modest next to the big two but this was the Colorado’s best monthly result of all time and narrowly missed finishing inside the Top 10.

The Mitsubishi Triton ute is now a Top 10 regular and Nissan Navara sales also picked up (2268), but it is still nowhere near its former glory.