September registration sales figures for new passenger cars totalled 5593, the highest month recorded this calendar year. Although the total was 16% down on the same month last year the 2009 September figure was a healthy 21% increase over the previous month helped largely by high rental car sales.
Although still down 21% from September 2008, commercial vehicle sales showed a sharp 25% increase over August.
Motor Industry Association CEO Perry Kerr says that the September sales are certainly heartening but he warns the vehicle market is still vulnerable to current economic conditions.
"It is encouraging to see that September was the highest passenger sales in eleven months," says Kerr. "The pick-up in the economy is starting to flow through to vehicle sales however, we remain cautious until we see more of a definitive and sustained increase in sales figures".
With the total sales in September boosted by high rental volumes, it would strongly suggest retail activity is still very slow, which is no doubt the reason for the words of caution from Mr Kerr.
Highlights
- Rental car sales for the month totalled 1402 with Corolla (459), Camry (242) and Falcon (190) the top models.
- Year to date Kia now have almost 4% market share which must have some of the more established players in the industry looking over their shoulders.
- The battle for fourth place in sales YTD continues with Mazda (8.55%) edging out Hyundai (8.51%).
- Toyota (17.89%), Ford (11.61%) and Holden (9.53%) hold the top three spots YTD.
More information
September 2009 new car sales stats - (90 Kb PDF)