Australia hits new-car sales record in June as utes and SUVs proceed to surge up the charts

As bollards are installed in other areas across Brisbane, the Queen Street Mall still remains lightly accessible for vehicles.

AUSTRALIANS bought more fresh vehicles than any other time in our automotive history last month — as our taste in cars proceeds to switch.

Official figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries released today display 134,171 vehicles were reported as sold, up Four.Four per cent on the same month last year and the third record June in a row.

The figures are based on sales information supplied by the car industry and are then forwarded to the Australian Bureau of Statistics — but they are not based on registrations.

Industry insiders say it can take several months for about ten per cent of vehicles reported as sold to be registered and delivered to paying customers.

The Toyota HiLux (right) and Ford Ranger (left) packed the top two sales catches sight of in June, while Holden set a fresh record for the Colorado (middle). Picture: Thomas Wielecki.

Nevertheless, the strong result in June goes after a record May — the fattest in four years — showcasing two months in a row of substantial growth as buyers proceed to cash-in on low interest rates.

Market leader Toyota had its best month in years, selling 24,546 vehicles (almost one in five passenger vehicles sold), while there were big upsets at Holden and Ford.

Ford is now selling more Mustangs per month than it did Falcons in the locally-made sedan’s final years. Picture: Supplied.

Holden sales dropped by the fattest margin within the Top ten (down Eighteen.Five per cent). Ford posted a build up on the back of strong sales of the Ranger ute and Mustang sports car — but the brand overall was outsold by Mitsubishi, which had a massive month.

Korean car maker Kia continued its surge up the sales charts, overtaking Nissan with an incredible 30.Trio per cent increase.

Kia sales are powering, driven largely by the $Nineteen,990 drive-away on the Cerato (above) and an industry-first, factory-backed seven-year warranty. Picture: Supplied

The Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger utes were the top two sellers overall in June as request for sedans and puny hatchbacks continued to slide.

Former champions the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 posted sales declines as buyers proceed to switch to compact SUVs that fit in the same size parking space but have a taller driving position and roomier cabins and cargo areas.

Hyundai’s Tucson set a fresh record for compact SUV sales, ranking fourth overall and outselling the reigning top seller, the Mazda CX-5.

The Hyundai Tucson set a fresh record for sales of compact SUVs and ranked fourth outright in June. Picture: Supplied.

But utes were the driving force as private buyers and petite businesses took advantage of special offers in the lead up to the end of the financial year.

Powerful discounts on the Toyota HiLux SR5 and Ford Ranger XLT over the past two months eyed record sales for the Ranger, with more than five thousand deliveries, including four thousand four hundred forty nine four-wheel-drive variants.

This was enough for Ranger 4×4 to outsell the HiLux 4×4 — but the HiLux still led the month overall and proceeds to lead year-to-date because sales of the two-wheel-drive HiLux thrust it ahead of Ford.

The score for the very first six months of this year when all ute variants are combined: 23,378 (HiLux) versus 21,638 (Ranger).

Leave behind Falcon v Commodore, Ford Ranger v Toyota HiLux is the fresh battle. Picture: Joshua Dowling.

The Holden Colorado’s tally of two thousand four hundred looks modest next to the big two but this was the Colorado’s best monthly result of all time and just missed completing inwards the Top Ten.

The Mitsubishi Triton ute is now a Top ten regular and Nissan Navara sales also picked up (2268), but it’s still nowhere near its former glory.

Market leader Toyota had a strong month but sales of former top-sellers the Corolla (above) and the Mazda3 are down as buyers budge from petite cars to SUVs. Picture: Joshua Dowling.

Top ten cars in June 2017

Toyota HiLux five thousand four hundred sixty one — up Eighteen.Four per cent

Ford Ranger five thousand fifty one — up 23.8 per cent

Toyota Corolla three thousand eight hundred thirty — down 13.Five per cent

Hyundai Tucson three thousand seven hundred forty one (fresh model)

Mazda3 three thousand four hundred ninety — down 15.1 per cent

Hyundai i30 three thousand four hundred seventy one — down forty six per cent

Toyota Camry three thousand one hundred ninety one — up Four.7 per cent

Mitsubishi Triton two thousand nine hundred ninety five — up Four.8 per cent

Mazda CX-5 two thousand four hundred eighty seven — down Five.9 per cent

Toyota RAV4 two thousand four hundred sixty — up 17.8 per cent

Top ten brands in June 2017

Toyota 24,546 — up 11.Two per cent

Mazda 12,501 — up 0.Four per cent

Hyundai 12,251 — down 0.Four per cent

Holden nine thousand two hundred seventy three — down Legal.Five per cent

Mitsubishi nine thousand two hundred sixty six — up 6.Two per cent

Ford eight thousand eight hundred fifty three — up 6.Five per cent

Kia six thousand seven hundred thirty seven — up 30.Trio per cent

Nissan six thousand six hundred ninety — down 1.Three per cent

Volkswagen six thousand four hundred forty seven — up 8.7 per cent

Honda five thousand four hundred twelve — up Two.8 per cent

Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), June sales compared to the same month last year.

Utes such as the Ford Ranger had a massive influence in June’s record sales. Picture: Supplied.

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