New Car Sales Achieve A Record September Result

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NEW CAR SALES ACHIEVE A RECORD SEPTEMBER RESULT

5th October, 2010
Strong sales across most segments have resulted in a record monthly sales result for September and prompted the industry to upgrade its annual forecast to more than one million units.

Official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showed that 85,054 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in September, up 8.9 per cent (or 6,923 vehicles) on the same month in 2009.

"This is a great result and posts a new monthly high for September," FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

Today's result eclipses the previous September monthly record set in 2005 by 584 units.
"It is encouraging to see that sales to private buyers recorded the largest increase this month (up 14.2%) which is further evidence of renewed confidence in the marketplace," Mr McKellar said.

"Given the continued strength of the market in recent months, the industry has revised its annual sales forecast to more than one million sales - up from the previous projection of more than 980,000," Mr McKellar said.

"The Australian market has only twice recorded a market with more than one million sales so this will be quite an achievement," he said.

The SUV segment was the strongest performer during September, recording an increase of 36.3 per cent; followed by passenger cars (up 3.1 per cent) and then light commercials (up 1.7 per cent).

Toyota was the top selling marque in September with 16,185 sales; followed by Holden with 10,718 then, Mazda with 8,850 units.

Year-to-date, 780,720 vehicles have been sold, an increase of 14.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2009.

For further information:
James Goodwin
Media & Communications Manager
james.goodwin@fcai.com.au
02 6229 8221