Media Release
4 June 2006
New car sales rebound in May
New car sales resumed their record trend in May. 6241 units were registered during the month, 22% up on April’s figure
and 3% ahead of May 2005. It was the biggest May for new car sales since 1990. New commercial vehicle sales have come
slightly off their 2005 peak – although May sales of 2180 were a massive 45% up on April, they were 7.5% down on May
last year. It was still the second biggest May for new commercials since 1982.
Year to date May, new car sales were 4.0% up on last year and commercials were 6.5% down.
“Despite the problems affecting the lower end of the used vehicle market, new vehicle sales are continuing at a buoyant
level,” said Perry Kerr, CEO of the Motor Industry Association. “Buyers are recognising that new, more efficient
vehicles are less costly to operate, and will ultimately have better resale value.”
Ford took passenger market leadership from Toyota in May, but Toyota is hanging on to year to date honours in all
categories, helped by their continuing strong commercial vehicle performance.
In the individual model stakes, Falcon edged out Commodore in May, but Commodore remains in the lead year to date with
Corolla second and Falcon third.
Sheet 1: Top fifteen distributors, full year 2005, month of May and YTD 2006, total vehicles, new cars, new
commercials.
Sheet 2: Top fifteen sellers by model, full year 2005, month of May and YTD 2006, top ten rental cars May 2006.
ENDS