Car sales rise in WA

New vehicle sales in Western Australia registered a slight increase in March compared with the same month last year, while sales for the 12 months to March were up 5.3 per cent on the prior year, according to the latest data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

Vehicle sales rose 1.3 per cent in March, to 8,821, led by increases in SUV sales and heavy commercial vehicles.

WA’s SUV market was up 3 per cent at 3,819, while 307 heavy commercial vehicles were sold in the month, representing an 18.5 per cent increase on March in the previous year.

Light commercial vehicle sales were down 1.7 per cent and passenger vehicle sales dropped 0.6 per cent for the month.

Nationally, vehicle sales were up 1.5 per cent in March, with a 4.4 per cent increase for the year.

“The March 2018 market of 106,988 new vehicle sales is an increase of 1,578 vehicle sales or 1.5 per cent on March 2017 (105,410) vehicle sales,” the FCAI said.

“Five of the states and territories recorded sales gains during March compared with the same month last year.

“The Northern Territory led the way with 12.8 per cent growth, followed by the ACT with 7.9 per cent, then Victoria (+6.3 per cent), Queensland (+1.8 per cent), and Western Australia (+1.3 per cent). South Australia, Tasmania and NSW all recorded falls.”