Strong used import sales help boost March vehicle sales

Media Release 4 April 2014

Strong used import sales help boost March vehicle sales

The vehicle sales market ended the first quarter impressively, with total sales of new and used imported vehicles maintaining their strong performance. Sales of 22,099 units in March were up 4,548 (26 percent) over the same month last year.

MTA spokesperson Ian Stronach said the impressive results only seemed to be ramping up.

“For the year to date (YTD), overall vehicle sales of 61,610 units are already ahead of 2013 by an impressive 11,711 units (23 percent). The rate of sales growth seems to be picking up even further, with the overall segment still at the head of the pack in terms of economic performance.”

New vehicle registrations of 11,235 units were up 1,730 units (18 percent) over March 2013. YTD, new vehicle sales are 4,157 units (15 percent) ahead of 2013. Toyota Corolla was again the most popular new car model with sales of 408 units, well clear of Suzuki Swift on 281 units and Holden Commodore on 245 units. Ford Ranger headed off the race for most popular new commercial model on 550 units, ahead of Toyota Hilux on 505 units and Nissan Navara on 270 units.

Shading the sales of new vehicles was the used import sector, where total sales of 10,864 units were 2,818 units (35 percent) ahead of March 2013 and are heading back towards the levels last seen in the early part of the 2000s.

Used import passenger vehicle sales of 10,247 units were 2,666 units (35 percent) ahead of March 2013, making it the best month for used import passenger vehicle sales since August 2007.

Used import commercial sales of 617 units were 152 units (33 percent) of the same month last year.

In terms of the leading used import passenger model, Nissan Tiida regained top spot with sales of 557 units, ahead of Suzuki Swift on 521 units, which just pipped Mazda Demio on 520 units.

“Coming at what is still the end of the financial year for many businesses, March was always likely to be a good month for sales. It is usually only bettered by June, so if sales growth is maintained at this level, it looks like another very good year of growth, not just for the vehicle sales industry, but for the economy in general,” Stronach says.

Motorcycle sales also remained firm in March, up 4 percent on the year prior, and 13 percent YTD. On the back of strong sales of over-60cc machines, on-road motorcycle sales of 425 units were a solid 52 units (14 percent) ahead of March 2013. YTD sales are ahead by 243 units (21 percent).

Suzuki again led with overall sales of 123 units, ahead of Honda on 70 units, with Aprilia and Yamaha third-equal with 42 units.

ENDS

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