New Car Market Strongest in 15 Months

MTA spokesman, Marketing and Communications General Manager, Ian Stronach said “This is great news, after some very difficult times in the last year or so, it’s terrific to see that the year has started on a such positive note.”

“While it’s early days, there has been strengthening trend in many overseas markets, so it’s good to see our market showing a lift, and without the external stimulus that many of these other markets have relied on.”

“Buyers seem to be returning to the market; in some cases they have simply had to replace vehicles that were well past their economic life, and there’s a limit to how long this can be deferred.  A good start to the year may well be the impetus the market needs to return to its more traditional level of sales.”

January’s sales of 5601 units were the second highest monthly figures recorded in the past 15 months, and well ahead of the 3973 recorded in December 2009.

In some respects the market remained unchanged with long time leader Toyota remaining on top with sales of 1172 units, followed by Holden, then with Mazda taking third spot.  Ford and Suzuki rounded out the top five.

In terms of individual models Toyota Corolla maintained its long held lead as the most popular car in the market with 651 sales, while Holden’s Cruze proved to be very much a surprise package recording 316 sales for second place.  Suzuki Swift, Mazda3 and Holden Commodore filled the remainder of the top five spots.

Used import sales of 6828 were also well up, 26 percent ahead of the same period last year, continuing a trend which started in the last quarter of 2009.

Overall activity in the existing used car market, as measured through Change of Ownership activity, shows the market holding steady and showing no change.

The commercial sector did not fare quite as well with sales of 1102 units down 9 percent over January 2009, making it one of the quietest months for sales in some time.

Sales of motorcycles and scooters were down compared to January 2009, but showed a welcome lift over the levels being recorded towards the end of last year.

Perhaps affected by the erratic weather that has so far dominated this summer, the overall new motorcycle market was down 32 percent over last January, but was up 15 percent from December 2009.  The largest fall came in the sub 60cc or Moped class which was down by 41 percent, with larger motorcycles over 600cc faring a little better and down by only 28 percent.

Suzuki remained market leader ahead of Harley Davidson, Honda, Yamaha and Triumph.