The decline in new car sales continued in September according to figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).

 

A total of 88,181 vehicles were sold in September, a decrease of 6530 vehicles, or 6.9 per cent when compared to the corresponding month last year.

 

On a year-to-date basis, the total now sits at 811,464 new vehicle sales, a drop of 7.9 per cent or 69,541 units over the same period in 2018.

 

According to Tony Weber, chief executive of the FCAI, new vehicles have now seen the eighteenth consecutive month of decreasing sales in the Australian market.

 

“It is clear the slower sales rate the market is experiencing is in line with the broader economic environment in Australia.

 

“Of particular concern to the industry is the restrictive regulatory lending conditions currently facing consumers,” Mr Weber said.

 

“The question has to be asked – are these results telling us we have made it too difficult for people to finance basic purchases in today’s Australia?”

 

It’s an interesting question but with such high levels of household debt in Australia, the results of the last 12 months most likely represent a recalibration of the market.

 

During the month, the SUVs (41,861 units) lifted by 1.1 per cent, while the passenger cars (24,893 units) fell by 18.3 per cent, and light commercial segment (18,257) decreased by 5.4 per cent. 

 

Toyota remained the top-selling marque for the month with 15,166 sales (down 12.8 per cent) followed by Mitsubishi with 8990 sales (a jump of 17.9 per cent) and Mazda with 8168 sales (up 15.5 per cent).

 

Holden finally fell out of the top 10 after a drop of 38.4 per cent drop compared to September 2018, the marque could only manage 2863 sales.

 

When it comes to models, utes occupied the top three spots with the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton securing a podium finish.

 

The Mitsubishi ASX, Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander SUVs all finished in the top 10, as did three passenger models - the Hyundai i30, Toyota Corolla and the Kia Cerato.

 

 

Toyota HiLux - 3364

Ford Ranger - 3116

Mitsubishi Triton - 3001

Hyundai i30 - 2447

Mitsubishi ASX - 2419

Mazda CX-5 - 2355

Toyota Corolla - 2219

Kia Cerato - 2022

Nissan X-Trail - 1769

Mitsubishi Outlander - 1731

 

 

Toyota - 15,166

Mitsubishi - 8990

Mazda - 8168

Hyundai - 7245

Kia - 5128

Ford - 4783

Nissan - 4651

Volkswagen - 3816

Subaru - 3502

Honda - 3404