Car sales in WA were stronger than anywhere else in Australia in 2020, aside from the ACT, although they were still down on the prior year.
More than 89,400 new vehicles were bought in Western Australia during the year, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data shows.
That was down 2.7 per cent on 2019.
But it contrasts with huge falls elsewhere.
Sales in Victoria fell the most, down 25.6 per cent in 2020, while nationally, new car sales were 13.7 per cent lower.
But the numbers for the month of December give cause for great optimism.
Nearly 9,100 new cars were sold in WA in the month, up 26.4 per cent on December 2019.
Toyota WA general manager Terry Wood said while there had been a lot of uncertainty in March and April, there was a strong recovery in June.
“We had great order writing in June and it continued from there,” Mr Wood said.
Toyota’s December result had been its best ever month, he said.
The company's sales were more than 2,800 in December, more than three times the next competitor in WA.
Orders for January 2021 looked strong too, Mr Wood said.
Travel bans had likely meant Western Australians were spending money at home, Mr Wood said.
“Other industries like home renovations, pools, even hospitality, are also doing well because people are spending (locally),” he said.
“Generally, the WA economy is rolling along very well.”
WA drivers also showed a strong preference for Sport Utility Vehicles, with sales of more than double other passenger vehicles, at 44,500 new SUVs.
