Monthly sales figures have continued to trend upwards on 2009 data with an increase of 17% (almost 12,000 vehicles) compared to February last year. According to official VFACTS numbers 82,219 new vehicles rolled off showroom floors last month.
Breaking the monthly comparison numbers down further, business sales remain strong, up by almost 23% on 2009 sales. But it was the rental segment that has given a major boost to results for February 2010 with an increase in sales to rental companies of 175%.
There was also a modest 9.3% increase in the number of private buyers taking delivery of new vehicles. FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar says, “Looking ahead, sustaining the confidence of private buyers is the key challenge for the economy.”
“For that reason we continue to be cautious about the impact of interest rate increases,” Mr McKellar said.
Toyota and Holden held their recent traditional placings as the top two selling marques in Australia. However, Hyundai has displaced Ford from third position by boosting their sales to the tune of 8.8%. This is the first time Hyundai has reached a top three position on local sales charts. The news is worse for Ford, too, as Mazda, in fourth place, have relegated the blue oval further down the charts.
Interestingly, the number of manufacturers sending out press releases trumpeting their results is significantly down on January’s efforts.