WA car sales rise in 2018

The state’s automotive industry got off to a positive start in 2018 with a rise in new vehicle sales for January, compared to last year, on the back of increased SUV and light commercial vehicle sales.

The monthly figures, released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, show a 5.2 per cent jump in sales for January, with 7,401 vehicles sold in the month.

There was a 10.8 per cent rise in SUV sales and a 21 per cent increase in light commercial vehicles sold, while there was a drop of 9.4 per cent in passenger vehicles in January.

Nationally there was a 4.3 per cent spike in vehicle sales for January, with a 10.9 per cent increase in SUV sales while light commercial vehicle sales grew 20.3 per cent, compared to last year.

Queensland registered the largest growth in sales, up 9.8 per cent, while the Australian Capital Territory rose 8.6 per cent.

New South Wales was the only state to record a decrease in sales for January and was down 0.3 per cent.

Western Australia finished 2017 with a 2.5 per cent decline in new vehicle sales.