July 2010 new car registrations of 4,446 were a meagre 27 units off the same month in 2009.
While on a year to date basis, registrations are running 14% ahead of 2009 the July figures would suggest the market is still struggling to gain consistent momentum this calendar year. Take away the rental sales which have boosted numbers significantly this year and the realities of a weak market are highlighted.
The Motor Industry Association Chief Executive Officer Mr Perry Kerr is not surprised at the July figures; “After six months of continued growth we are not surprised that the new car market has taken a very small breath. Year to date the numbers of 34,728 are still ahead of our forecasts. In the commercial vehicle market the positive impact of Fieldays is still being felt which is encouraging for the economy as a whole” Mr Kerr concluded.
Commercial registrations of 1,551 registrations were up just over 11% on July 2009.
Highlights:
- In the passenger car segment July registrations saw a switch back to the traditional top three of Toyota, Ford and Holden
- Year to date Toyota remains on top followed by Holden and Ford
- Commercial vehicles were likewise a repeat of previous months, Toyota first followed by Ford and Nissan. Year to date places remain the same with Toyota totally dominant (3,486 registrations), leaving Ford (1,546) and Nissan (1,360) to fight out second and third place
- Another sign of a soft market was the fact commercial vehicles took out the top two selling models in July with the Nissan Navara (261) outselling the popular Toyota Hilux (241)
- The Ford Falcon was the top passenger model followed by the Toyota Corolla and the Mazda3.
More information
July 2010 new car sales stats (88 kb PDF)