New vehicle sales continue strongly in March

Media Release

For Immediate Release
5 April 2004

New vehicle sales continue strongly in March

A total of 8820 new vehicles was registered in March (6506 cars and 2314 commercial vehicles), confirming that the recent cycle of strength in the new vehicle market shows no sign of abating. The new car market grew by almost 25% from February to March, and the commercial market by a staggering 36%.

For the first quarter, passenger car sales of 17,438 were 9.0% ahead of the same period last year, and commercial sales for the quarter at 5538 were even further ahead of 2003, at 11.5%.

The Motor Industry Association remains in optimistic mood. “We are over two thousand units ahead of last year’s first quarter, and 2003 went on to produce a 92,000 unit new vehicle market, the strongest since the early years of used imports,” said MIA CEO Perry Kerr. “The market is recognising the excellent value now represented by new vehicles and making decisions accordingly.”

Ford took leadership of both the passenger and total vehicle markets in March, but Toyota again led the commercial market. Year to date, Toyota leads Ford and Holden in the total market, but in the passenger car market the three brands are covered by just 30 units, with Holden holding a slender lead.

Commodore was again the top selling car from Falcon for the month, with perennial third placeholder Corolla slipping to fourth behind Honda Accord.

ENDS

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