New vehicle market posts record March result

More Toyotas can be expected to be seen in autobody repair shops as the Japanese-based car maker tops the list of new car sales for March and celebrated the sale of its five-millionth vehicle in Australia.

Autobody repairers will be hoping a recent increase in new vehicle sales will mean more work coming into their repair facilities.

And most of them could be Toyotas with the Japanese car maker topping the list for the most new vehicles sold as well as celebrating the sale of its five-millionth vehicle in Australia this week.

Strong sales across all vehicle segments has resulted in a record monthly sales figure for March, eclipsing the previous record set in 2007 by 352 vehicles.

Official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) shows that 94,744 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in March, up 25.2 per cent (or 19,094 vehicles) on the same month in 2009.

“This is an outstanding March result and provides further evidence that the marketplace is returning to pre-global financial crisis levels,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

SUV sales led the charge in March increasing by 44.1 percent, followed by passenger cars (up 23.5 per cent), heavy commercials (up 20.2 per cent) and then light commercials (up 12 per cent).

“Business sales show some signs of easing following the phase out of targeted tax breaks but it is pleasing to see renewed growth from private buyers,” he said.

“With warnings of further interest rate rises, private buyers should move to take advantage of the current rate levels,” McKellar said.

Sales to car rental companies increased 331.5 per cent during March in line with increased tourism and business activity. Toyota retained the top selling position in March, increasing its market share to 21.4 per cent; followed by Holden with 12.4 per cent and then Ford with 8.5 per cent.

Year-to-date, 251,827 vehicles have been sold – an increase of 38,857 vehicles (18.2 percent) compared to the first three months of 2009.