New Car Market Still Improving

March passenger vehicle sales traditionally show a lift over February and this year proved no exception, with March sales of 5392 units ahead of February’s 4302 units by 25 percent.   For the year to date, the 2010 passenger car sector is ahead of 2009 by more than 1300 units or 9 percent.

MTA Marketing and Communications General Manager, Ian Stronach said “This improvement now seems to be something of a trend. The indicators from other sectors of the economy are also pointing the right way, so while it’s unlikely that the market will reach great heights, everyone we are speaking to is happy with the direction it’s headed.”

Toyota retained its new car market leadership with 854 units and a 15.8 percent share, followed by Holden on 587 units (10.9 percent), Ford 497 units (9.2 percent) and just ahead of Mazda on 495 units (9.1 percent); who in turn narrowly headed Hyundai in fifth spot with 484 units (9.0 percent).

In a tightly packed race, smaller cars again dominated the contest for individual model supremacy with Toyota Corolla leading with 296 units ahead of Suzuki Swift 270 units, Holden Commodore 224 units, Mazda3 187 units and Holden Cruze and Mazda6 tying for fifth spot with 175 units each. 

Used import registrations also continued to show recovery, and at 7800 units were at their highest level in nearly 18 months. Mirroring this were used import passenger car arrivals which at 8640 were up 28 percent over February’s levels.  For the first quarter of 2010 arrival volumes were more than double last year’s levels.

Overall activity levels within the new and used car sector remain high with the prime indicator, Change of Ownerships, at their highest levels in over a year.

The motorcycle market also proved something of a bright spot with sales of 749 units being the best in 11 months, up 6 percent over February’s levels.   While the market was lower than for March 2009, the gap is closing with sales for the year to date now being off by only 23 percent.  The reduction in sales is shared equally between scooters (under 60 cc) and larger (over 60cc) motorcycles.

Stronach adds “With more new models, new power-plant options, and even more manufacturers represented than there were a year ago, customers across almost all sectors are responding as the industry hoped.  The balance of 2010 looks a lot better than it did even six months ago.”