January sales slip five percent on 2021
New vehicle registrations in January were down by 4.8 percent, or 3803 vehicles, compared with the same month last year as the ongoing microprocessor shortage and COVID-19 pandemic-related supply constraints continue to impact new-vehicle sales across Australia.
It marked a decrease of 158.5 vehicle sales per day.
Figures released last week by the FCAI show the passenger-vehicle market was down by 2835 vehicles, or 15.3 percent, in relation to the corresponding month last year.
The SUV market fell by 1947 units, 4.7 percent, while the light commercial vehicle market improved by 774 vehicles, or 4.4 percent. Heavy vehicle sales also increased by 223 units, 10.9 percent, versus January 2021.
A total of 75,863 vehicles were sold in January 2022 and Tasmania was the only state to register an increase in sales, its 1468 units represented an improvement of 15.4 percent.
Sales in Western Australia were down 7.8 percent, Queensland fell 1.3 percent and Victoria slipped by 1.6 percent.
The trend continued in South Australia where sales decreased by 2.2 percent, while sales in the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory fell by 13 percent and 9.7 percent respectively.
FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said the microprocessor shortage and the pandemic’s impact on supply chains has continued into 2022.
“This is an issue impacting markets all over the globe. Despite this, consumer interest, inquiry and the demand for new cars in Australia remains strong,” he said.
“Manufacturers are continuing to work hard to address supply chain and production issues.
“We are also experiencing bottlenecks in having vehicles processed from some Australian ports. We will continue to work with all parties involved to resolve the issue.”
Toyota was again the market leader in January with 15,333 vehicles sold. Mazda took second place with 6533 unit sales, ahead of Mitsubishi, 6533, Kia, 5520 and Hyundai, 5128.
The Toyota Hilux continued to be Australia’s highest selling model with 3591 examples sold in January.