Australian new car sales fell in August 2014 by 5402 sales, compared with August 2013, with 88,157 new passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles sold.

THE DROP IN AUGUST sales reflects the current trend in new vehicle sales which is year-to-date down across the nation by 2.5%. Indeed, YTD sales in the passenger car segment are down 5.4% and light commercial vehicle sales are down 4.7%. On the flip side, YTD SUV sales are up 3.7%. In particular, YTD sales of small SUVs are up 15.7%.

In response to August 2014 sales figures, FCAI chief executive Tony Weber, the sales drop was down to a softening of new passenger car sales (down 5402 sales on August 2013). Sales of SUVs and commercial vehicles, by comparison were up 0.1% and 0.5%, respectively.

“SUVs and light commercial vehicles were a popular choice for private buyers in August, with private purchases in these segments rising 5.6 and 8.9%, respectively; compared to August 2013. Private purchases of passenger cars, however, fell 15.7%,” Weber said in a statement.

“Government purchases of SUVs increased 29.6% and passenger car sales to government increased 1.3 per cent. While government purchases of light commercial vehicles fell 7.4% in August.

“Business purchases declined in all categories, with business buyers purchasing 6% less passenger cars, 9.6% less SUVs and 3.9% less light commercial vehicles; compared to August 2013.”

According to FCAI figures, sales fell in all states and territories, with the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia seeing the most significant falls (16.5, 10.1 and 10.2%, respectively). Sales in Tasmania and Victoria fell 4.9 and 4.1%, respectively. New South Wales fell 2.8%, South Australia fell 2%, and Australian Capital Territory fell 1.2%.

Overall, the Toyota Corolla maintained the title of top selling vehicle for the month with 3247 sales, then Mazda3 (3124), Toyota Hilux (2918), Hyundai i30 (2651) and the Holden Commodore (2344). Toyota maintained the overall lead in market share for June 2014 (17.7%), followed by Holden and Hyundai (both 9.8%), Mazda (8.5%) and Ford (7.8%).