One million sales, but automotive market remains flat

National motor vehicle sales eclipsed the one million year-to-date sales mark during November 2018, in a month which overall sales were down according to the latest data released today by the motor industry’s statistical service, VFACTS.

National vehicle sales for November reached 93,860, down 7.4 per cent from November 2017.

The overall market decline for the month was once again led by falling passenger car sales, at 29,250 or 20.8 per cent lower in November 2018 compared to the corresponding month last year.

The flat conditions were also reflected in SUV sales, which fell by 1.9 per cent across the segment, which accounted for 42.6 per cent of the market in November 2018 and 42.9 per cent of the market year to date.

However, light commercial vehicle sales grew by 4.2 per cent in November 2018.

Year-to-date sales across the market are currently at 1,065,583, which is a 1.9 per cent decline from the same period in the record 2017 sales year.

Once again Tasmania bucked the sales trend compared to November 2017, with a 2.0 per cent increase.

The remaining States and Territories fell as follows: New South Wales (-11.6%), Victoria (-7.0%), Queensland (-2.6%), Western Australia (-9.0%), South Australia (-2.4%), the ACT (-7.8%) and the Northern Territory (-6.2%).

November 2018 sales were down across most buyer types, however SUV sales increased by 20.5 per cent to government, and by 14.9 per cent to rental purchasers.

There were also increases in light commercial sales for the month to private (+4.0%) and business (+5.5%) purchasers.

Tony Weber, the Chief Executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, acknowledged the ongoing flat market conditions.

Mr Weber said “The November 2018 sales reflect tougher conditions across the economy.”

The Toyota Hilux was the highest selling vehicle in November 2018 with sales of 4671, followed by the Ford Ranger (3469), the Toyota Corolla (2659), the Mitsubishi Triton (2404) and the Hyundai i30 (2378).