Record sales of new and used imported vehicles

Record sales of new and used imported vehicles

New commercials, new and used imported passenger vehicles and motorbikes all saw strong sales for both the month and the first half-year – with some sectors moving the highest volumes since records began.

Sales of new passenger cars reached the highest volume for both the month and first half of the year in 25 years. All three top-selling passenger vehicles were from Toyota: the Rav4 led, with 371 units sold in June, then Corolla with 333 units, and the Highlander, selling 308 units.

Toyota also still leads the way in the new commercial segment, with Hilux in first place with 847 units sold for the month, followed by Ford’s Ranger, selling 574 vehicles, and the Holden Colorado, with 359 units.

MTA Dealer Services and Mediation Manager Tony Everett says the strong sales for the first half of the year across all sectors is a healthy indicator of a buoyant market, with strong consumer confidence.

“It’s been the biggest new commercial month since our records began in 1981 – as well as the biggest first half. June is historically a big month for commercial vehicles due to Fieldays, but this is exceptional,” Everett says.

The used imported passenger segment had the strongest June for nine years, and the strongest first half since 2006. The top three in the segment were: Nissan Tiida (selling 618 units), Suzuki Swift (541 units), and Mazda Axela (531).

“That we’re seeing these huge sales for the first half suggests these are sustained trends, rather than spikes of short-term exuberance from special deals and the like,” Everett says.

The motorcycle segment of the vehicle market was up 14 percent against the same time last year.

Most of the sales have been of larger models, with fewer immediate sales in the sub-60cc part of the market.

“This is surprising, given we’re heading into the teeth of winter,” he says.

“Scooters haven’t been moving, which is a bit of a surprise – there is a long-established correlation between high fuel prices and booms in small, step-through motorcycles.”

The motorcycle segment was led by Suzuki, selling 81 units, followed by Honda with 76, and both Triumph and Yamaha equal in third with 34 units sold each.

ends

© Scoop Media