Home > Our Publications > Australian Outlook> 2005 > June

Strong growth for car market

THE Australian car market continues to grow, with record April sales driving the market ahead of last year's results.

The biggest winners in the first four months of the year were Sports Utility Vehicles, up 15 per cent on last season's records.

While demand dipped for large four-wheel drives such as Nissan's Patrol and luxury all-roaders such as the BMW X5, there was a spectacular 49 per cent lift in sales of medium SUVs. Compact SUV sales rose 6.5 per cent.

In mixed results for April, large and luxury car sales also fell away to the end of April, but sports cars and small cars were ahead.

Total vehicle sales are now 5.1 per cent ahead on year-to-date figures from VFACTS, the motor industry's official statistician. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries tips a 980,000 total for 2005.

Last year an all-time record 955,215 cars, trucks and buses were sold in Australia and the FCAI is forecasting another record this year, said FCAI chief executive Peter Sturrock.

"Since January we've been forecasting the 2005 marketing at 980,000 and on current trends we'll surpass that," Mr Sturrock said.

Toyota was market leader in April and now holds the overall market lead over Holden and Ford.

Among big winners last month were importers Mazda, Honda and Subaru, all with record months. And Citroen saw a 68.5 per cent leap, thanks to the arrival of the smart new C4 lifting both sales and showroom traffic.

A record 5010 sales last month saw Mazda take the honours as the top-selling importer. The results also maintained Mazda's fourth spot for the year.

The Mazda3 range, the Mazda6 and the B Series utes were all strong performers last month. And with a revised Mazda2 and Mazda6, plus all-new MX-5 roadster and the sporting MPS sedan due later this year, Mazda Australia's managing director Doug Dickson is looking for record sales in 2005.

"We remain firmly on track to retail a record 60,000 vehicles this year, a result that would see Mazda's sales improve by a massive 118 per cent since 2000," Mr Dickson said.

"Our strong April result maintains our run of record months this year. Mazda's performance is a reflection of the strength of our product line-up."

Subaru hit record April sales of 3015 vehicles, thanks to solid sales across the range. Liberty Outback and Forester sales again saw Subaru dominate the compact SUV segment.

And April's results suggest Honda is on target for 41,000 sales across in 2005. On a year-to-date basis, Honda Australia sales are up 31 per cent with strong performances across the range.

Toyota is running behind its 2004 figures. Holden is just ahead of last year-to-date figures with good results for the Astra and Ford is up some 2000 sales with a swag of help from the award-winning Territory.

Hyundai posted stronger results last month, thanks in large part to the compact Tuscon SUV and Mitsubishi looked stronger, running almost 3000 vehicles ahead of last year with good form from the Colt and Triton utilities.