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CANBERRA - Australians bought new motor vehicles in record numbers last year, with annual sales passing the million mark for the first time.
Almost 1.05 million new cars, trucks and buses were sold in 2007, exceeding the previous record - set in 2005 - of 988,269, according to sales figures released yesterday by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).
Sales last year were up 9.1 per cent on the previous year and 35 per cent since 2001, and there was a renewed interest in four-wheel-drives and light commercial vehicles.
"One million new motor vehicles sales in a country of 21 million people is an impressive achievement by the Australian automotive industry - and ranks as one of the highest rates of new car purchases in the developed world," FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar said. The federation believes the Australian motor vehicle market will remain strong in coming months and is forecasting a total of one million sales in 2008.
For the 12th year in a row, the Holden Commodore was Australia's best selling motor vehicle in 2007, with 57,307 sales. Toyota Corolla maintained its second place with 47,792 and - in a reflection of the importance of the light commercial vehicle market - Toyota's HiLux was third with 42,009 sales.
Four-wheel-drives (27,329) were a major contributor to the overall market growth of 87,000 additional sales in 2007. The 4x4 utility market also reported a sales boost, with 15,052 additional sales - up 22.3 per cent on the previous year.
Other major contributors to market growth were small cars, which were up 5.9 per cent, and light cars - up 10.2 per cent.
- AAP
