New car sales in Australia were strong again last month, with Australians taking home 94,321 new passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles: 3.4 per cent more than in October 2014.

Year-to-date sales are up 3.6 per cent, reaching 957,153. With just two months left of 2015, new car sales are expected to once again top 1.1 million for the year. Australia’s highest recorded sales year was 2013, when new car sales totalled 1,136,227.

Releasing the October 2015 new car sales figures (VFACTS), the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries said this year’s strong sales have been led largely by the growth of the SUV market, which is up 15.9 per cent compared to sales in the period January to October 2014.

The total SUV market increased 20.5 per cent in October 2015, compared to October 2014. Small SUV sales, in particular, increased 37 per cent, medium SUV sales increased 20.1 per cent and large SUV sales increased 11.8 per cent.

While SUV sales continue to increase, the passenger car segment is still the largest selling segment, taking 43.3 per cent of new car sales in October 2015 and 44.9 per cent of sales year-to-date. In the 2014 period, passenger car sales accounted for 48 per cent of the total market.

Year-to-date, SUVs hold 35.2 per cent of the market and light commercial vehicles hold 17.1 per cent. Heavy commercial vehicles account for 2.7 per cent.

Government purchases declined across every segment in October 2015, with total sales to government down 12.2 per cent, compared to October 2014 sales. Business purchases rose 11.2 per cent and private purchases declined by 2 per cent.

Sales rose in all states and territories with the exception of the Northern Territory and Western Australia, which fell by 5 and 10.5 per cent, respectively, compared to October 2014. Sales in the Australian Capital Territory increased by 10.3 per cent, New South Wales by 4.6 per cent, Queensland by 7.4 per cent, South Australia by 3.5 per cent, Tasmania by 15.5 per cent and Victoria by 3.7 per cent.

In October, the Toyota Hilux took out the top spot as best-selling vehicle, with 3,339 sales. The Hilux was followed by the Toyota Corolla (3,271), Hyundai i30 (2,669) Ford Ranger (2,597) and Mazda3 (2,582). Toyota was the highest selling brand in October, with 18 per cent of the market. Toyota was followed by Hyundai with 9.5 per cent, Mazda with 9 per cent, Holden with 8.6 per cent and Ford with 6.5 per cent.

Key Points:

  • The October 2015 market of 94,321 new vehicle sales is an increase of 3,086 vehicle sales or 3.4% on October 2014 (91,235 vehicle sales). October 2015 (27.0) had the same number of selling days as October 2014 and this resulted in an increase of 114.3 vehicle sales per day.
  • The October 2015 industry volume is down 7,071 or -7.0% on September 2015 (101,392 vehicles).
  • The Passenger Vehicle Market is down by 2,265 vehicle sales (-5.3%) over the same month last year; the Sports Utility Market is up by 5,905 vehicle sales (20.5%) the Light Commercial Market is down by 310 vehicle sales (-1.9%); and the Heavy Commercial Vehicle Market is down by 244 sales (-8.3%) versus October 2014.
  • Toyota was market leader in October, followed by Hyundai and Mazda. Toyota led Hyundai with a margin of 7,961 vehicle sales, or 8.5 market share points.