Car sales up in WA

WESTERN Australia had the strongest car sales of any state in October, lifting more than 11 per cent, according to trend estimates released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Nationally, sales were down slightly compared with the previous October, but WA’s car buyers bought 8,823 of the 81,955 vehicles sold in Australia that month, an overall fall of 0.5 per cent from September and a 0.7 per cent drop from the previous corresponding period. WA, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory all recorded increases. Motor vehicle sales in WA were up 10.2 per cent in 12 months ending October. Treasurer Eric Ripper said that, over the three months to October, new vehicle sales in WA rose by 7.6 per cent. “Last week new housing figures showed the number of mortgage approvals for owner-occupiers leapt 6.4 per cent in the September quarter,” Mr Ripper said. “People are investing in new homes and buying new cars because they know the economy is in good hands.”