Toyota remains the market leader and new car sales remain strong despite the total March figure of 93,984 sales being almost one per cent lower than 12 months ago.
According to Toyota chief David Buttner, the March 2011 figure is a true representation of the market, whereas 2010 was influenced by our economy bouncing back and Government incentives.
“Value has become the greatest determinant in new vehicle sales,” Mr Buttner explained. “In 2010 the industry enjoyed a record March as a result of the improving economy and the final influence of government incentive. This March was 0.8 per cent below last year’s record but was still within expectation for a market that now depends on customer response to competitive retail offers.”
Toyota sold 18,466 vehicles in March, 70 per cent ahead of second-placed Holden (10,815). For the first three months of the year, Toyota sold 47,887 vehicles to Holden’s 29,515.
Mazda retains third position (22,883 vehicles for the first three months) and actually set its all-time March record with sales of 8,039 vehicles (474 better than the previous best March in 2008).
Ford is also running ahead of last year, in fourth place with 22,813 sales for the first quarter (8,698 in March).
Fifth-placed Hyundai is slightly down on last year (20,143 to 21,213) however its March total of 7,126 is the second-best March ever for the Korean importer.
