The Australian new car market recorded 83,184 sales last month, a 2.8 per cent decrease from July 2018 according to figures released today by The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).

 

On a year to date basis, the industry reported total sales of 637,650 units, a drop of 7.7 per cent when compared to the same period last year.

 

Tony Weber, chief executive of the FCAI, said that while the figures represented a slight slowing of the downward sales trend, the market remained sluggish.

 

“The July sales figures continue to illustrate the tough market conditions facing the Australian automotive industry, and the sensitive nature of the economy over the past twelve months.”

 

“Tight financial lending, drought, increasing Luxury Car Tax imposts and the Federal election have all contributed to make the Australian car market one of the toughest in the world.”

 

“But it is great news for the consumer who is spoiled for choice with attractive new car offers as automotive brands provide excellent deals to stimulate sales growth,” Mr Weber said.

 

SUVs commanded a whopping 45.6 per cent market share (37,894 sales), while passenger cars accounted for a 30.5 per cent share (25,386 sales). Light commercial vehicles are holding steady with a market share of 20.1 per cent (16,710 sales).

 

Toyota remains the top-selling marque with 17,876 sales for 21.5 per cent market share, followed by Mazda (8227 sales for 9.9 per cent market share), Hyundai (6983 sales for 8.4 per cent market share), Mitsubishi (5247 sales for 6.3 per cent market share) and Ford (4900 sales for 5.9 per cent market share).

 

Kia continues to defy the downward trend to be up 2.3 per cent. The brand’s best performer was the updated Cerato.

 

Subaru climbed back into the top ten with sales of 3513 vehicles in July which represents a 4.4 per cent bump. Subaru says July was the first month this year that Subaru was largely unaffected by a January production issue in Japan, which impacted new vehicle supply across the first half of 2019.

 

Premium brands were back amongst the runs with Mercedes-Benz up 25.7 per cent (2792), BMW up 4.5 per cent (1758) and Lexus up 16.7 per cent (748). Audi recorded another shocker, down 36.5 per cent (858).

 

Climbing another rung, Porsche sold 326 (up 47.5 per cent), no doubt helped by the new Macan range. Maserati, on the other hand, sold 32 cars, a drop of 33.3 per cent.

 

The Toyota HiLux was the best-selling vehicle in July with 3359 sales, followed by the Toyota Corolla (3244 sales), Ford Ranger (3168 sales), Toyota RAV4 (2419 sales) and the Hyundai i30 (2252).

 

 

Toyota HiLux - 3359

Toyota Corolla - 3244

Ford Ranger - 3168

Toyota RAV4 - 2419

Hyundai i30 - 2252

Mazda CX-5 - 2160

Mazda 3 - 1894

Toyota LandCruiser - 1885

Kia Cerato - 1723

Toyota Prado - 1620

 

 

Toyota – 17,876

Mazda - 8227

Hyundai - 6983

Mitsubishi - 5247

Ford - 4900

Kia - 4506

Nissan - 3804

Volkswagen - 3609

Subaru - 3513

Holden - 3266