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 to the previous October but WA's car buyers bought 8,823 of the 81,955 vehicles sold in Australia that month, a 0.5 per cent fall from September and a 0.7 per cent drop from the previous corresponding period.
Western Australia, 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.
WA treasurer Eric Ripper pointed out that over the three months to October, new vehicle sales in WA rose by 7.6 per cent - demonstrably higher than the growth in all other states.
"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."
According to the state government, other signs of a strong economy include:
- a record low unemployment rate of four per cent in October;
- job vacancies in WA newspapers rising 7.2 per cent in October;
- population growth above the national average;
- healthy household consumption expenditure up by 6.1 per cent over
- 2004-05; and
- continuing positive business investment conditions, with Access Economics September Quarter Investment Monitor showing $18.8billion worth of projects under way in WA.
