Australia is on track for another strong year of car sales.
The figures are in for January and the first month of 2017 was up slightly on the 2016 result, indicating a seventh consecutive year of one million plus new car sales is on the cards. Australians bought 84,910 new cars in January, a 0.6 per cent increase on the same month last year.
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries CEO Tony Weber said the result is a positive start to the year that bodes well for another year of growth.
"Coming off the back of another record sales year, we're pleased to see a modest gain, with private buyers active in the market and taking advantage of the offers out there from the brands," Weber said.
"It's a very good indicator for the year to come. We are confident that given unchanged economic conditions, the market will remain buoyant."
The best-selling vehicle in January was the Mazda3, which took a convincing win over its arch-rival the Toyota Corolla; selling 530 more examples.
Not surprisingly it was SUVs and utes that continued to perform strongly with the best-selling vehicle in 2016, the Toyota HiLux ute, taking third place overall just ahead of the Ford Ranger.
SUV sales continued to grow, accounting for 40.2 per cent of the total market compared to 41.1 per cent for passenger cars. Four SUVs made the top 10 in sales, the Mazda CX-5 and CX-3 as well as the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan X-Trail.
Toyota was the top-selling brand overall ahead of Mazda. It was a good start to the year for Holden, bouncing back from a difficult 2016 to finish January as the third best-selling brand.
Top selling brands in January
1. Toyota - 12,554
2. Mazda - 10,067
3. Holden - 7184
4. Hyundai - 6705
5. Ford - 5912
6. Mitsubishi - 5075
7. Nissan - 5012
8. Kia - 4015
9. Subaru - 4009
10. Volkswagen - 3995
Top selling models in January
1. Mazda3 - 3473
2. Toyota Corolla - 2943
3. Toyota HiLux - 2702
4. Ford Ranger - 2622
5. Hyundai i30 - 2018
6. Holden Commodore - 1960
7. Mazda CX-5 - 1924
8. Nissan X-Trail - 1759
9. Hyundai Tucson - 1678
10. Mazda CX-3 - 1486
Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.
10 Comments
The truth | 2017-02-03 03:30:53
All the editorial space VW and VAG in general get here and in reality they have a best-brand position of number 10 in total sales, including cars and commercial vehicles, and no vehicle in the top 10. Kia and Subaru are at number 9 and 8 with no commercial vehicle representation at all. Audi??? Skoda??? Why do we get so much German sourced editorial information when they are basically No-shows in the sales IN AUSTRALIA? Which market are the editirs pitching for, the Australian market or German market? Fahren.com.au, or Drive.com.au?
Nathan | 2017-02-03 03:48:06
The truth, please tell us why you keep coming back if you dont like the content.
The truth | 2017-02-03 06:36:47
Nathan Elsewhere on the web (but not a mention here....) Audi and Volkswagen have issued three safety recall notices involving 582,822 vehicles sold exclusively in the United States. The largest of the recalls ? which totals 342,867 units ? involves models fitted with the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TFSI petrol engine. A fault with the electric coolant pump in these vehicles can cause them to become blocked with debris from the cooling system, which may increase the risk of fire if the pump begins to overheat. and another... Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) has issued a recall for 239 Boxster, Cayman and 911 Carreras sold in Australia due to a possible loose screw connection on the fuel collection pipes. This safety notice is part of a global call back which affects 16,429 vehicles and will involve precautionary repairs to the sports cars found on the recall list. If we got ALL the news - good and bad - from all the manufacturers I would not have an issue with this site. It is the utter blatant bias towards VAG products that I object to.
Nathan | 2017-02-03 09:14:59
This article had really nothing to do with VW and look how you are carrying on. I find your hate bias against VW way more alarming than the pro bias you think Drive.com.au has towards VW. You are always complaining about the articles and the people who write them and thats the reason why i asked my original question, the one you didnt answer.
ColinExpat Nathan | 2017-02-05 00:11:12
German cars get more space because of advertising revenue and the fact that they invite motoring writers to luxurious, all expenses paid events in Europe, traveling up at the pointy end of the plane. You write a negative story, you don't get invited back, and the advertising manager gets mad at you. Please understand that the writers of these car reviews are motoring writers, similar to travel writers. They are not motoring journalists. The articles and reviews are pleasant puff pieces, enjoyable to read over your breakfast toast. If you want truth with no bull, and can tolerate some foul language, then you can always visit John Cadogan's website
rlm | 2017-02-03 09:56:29
The reason VW get more space is because they are the worlds number one manufacturer, VW, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Ducati, Lamborghini, Porsche, Skoda, SEAT and more. Hats off I say they are the manufacturer that has raised the bar and others try to emulate for us consumers I say that's fantastic.
Leighroy | 2017-02-04 09:43:30
Every comment section in Drive is 90% negativity. Sad little people.
Sidney Mincing | 2017-02-04 21:57:24
I read the Drive section to see what folk think of cars and the reports, not to read about a couple of immatures, the truth, and Nathan, slagging off at each other.
Scott | 2017-02-04 22:37:36
Now that pretty soon no cars will be made in Australia it will be a moot point whether or not we have sales growth, will it not? It will only serve as an indicator of car sales' impact on our country's balance of trade.
Gary Quinlan | 2017-02-05 01:53:16
Ever heard of lies, damned lies and statistics! There are three months of the calendar where statistics are not what they seem. June and December are heavily influenced by clearance sales with June in particular being a good month for commercial vehicle sales. January is a good month for private sales with people on holidays but a traditional lousy month for commercial sales with those buyers on holidays.