October new car sales in Australia were up just 0.1 per cent on 12 months ago but year-to-date the industry is 13 per cent ahead of 2009.
The October result is pleasing when you consider this time 12 months ago, Federal Government tax break stimulus programs brought many new car buyers into the market.
Toyota remains our best-selling brand – it’s 16,329 October sales outpacing Holden by 60 per cent. Holden Commodore is still Australia’s best-selling car.
With 173,867 new cars sales so far in 2010, Toyota commands a market share of 20.2 per cent and is on-track to sell more than 200,000 vehicles in a calendar year – the first time this has been achieved by an individual company in Australia.
Holden is number two (111,125 sales), ahead of Ford (80,221). Fourth-placed Mazda remains the leading importer (71,314) although again in October, Hyundai outsold the Japanese brand (6,359 sales to 5,746).
In fact the October result was an all-time record October for Hyundai in Australia. The Hyundai Getz is still our best-selling light car with 14.6 per cent market share.
Suzuki continues its remarkable run – 2010 sales are up 25 per cent and heading towards 25,000 for the year (the company has already smashed its previous record year set in 2008). October was another record for Suzuki with sales of 2,248 vehicles.
Subaru also set some records in October. Last month 1046 Imprezas and 1230 Foresters were sold – the best October performance for both models.
Overall, Australians’ love affair with SUVs shows no signs of slowing – that segment was up by 22.9 per cent last month (the only segment ahead of October 2009).
