Utes are dominating new vehicle registrations, with half of the top 10 made up of medium-size pick-ups when the first quarter figures for 2017 were released this week.
New vehicle registrations are up 15 per cent on the same period last year, with figures continuing to surpass expectations, says the Motor Industry Association (MIA).
The Ford Ranger was number one for the period to the end of March, with 810 units registered, ahead of the Toyota Hilux’s 740.
Sitting in fourth spot was Holden’s Colodaro ute, with the Mitsubishi Triton in fifth place and Nissan’s Navara workhorse in eighth.
SUVs also dominated the top 10 with this segment accounting for 36 per cent of new vehicles sales in 2016; and they are expected to hit more than 40 per cent this year.
The Toyota Corolla (396 units) was the sole passenger vehicle among commercial vehicles and SUVs in the top 10, finishing third.
MIA chief executive officer, David Crawford, said the new vehicle sector continued to surpass expectations, following the record numbers set throughout last year.
“Year-to-date, the new vehicle sector is 15 per cent (5161 units) ahead of this time last year with 39,477 vehicles registered compared to 34,316 vehicles to the end of March 2016.
“With monthly registrations of 13,869 vehicles, it was also the strongest March on record, up 14.5 per cent (1759 units) on 2016.”
Registrations of commercial vehicles, at 4639 units, were also up 18.4 per cent (720) on March 2016, the single largest month for commercial vehicle registrations since records began in 1981.
The combined passenger and SUV segment recorded 9230 units in March, up 12.7 per cent (1039) on March 2016.
The most popular vehicle segment in March was the medium SUV category that accounted for 15 per cent of the market ahead of 4x4 utes (13 per cent), large SUVs (12 per cent), compact SUVs (11 per cent) and small cars (11 per cent).
Combined SUV segments accounted for 37.6 per cent of the market in March, while the other passenger car segments combined were 27.1 per cent of registrations.
Toyota was the top-selling brand with 17 per cent (2316 units) of the total market, followed by Ford on 11 per cent (1522) and Holden on 8 per cent (1104).
Mercedes-Benz was the top-selling premium marque in March with 253 registrations, BMW followed with 196 registrations.
MARCH TOP 10 MODELS
1 Ford Ranger810
2 Toyota Hilux740
3 Toyota Corolla396
4 Holden Colorado380
5 Mitsubishi Triton365
6 Kia Sportage349
7 Toyota Hiace336
8 Nissan Navara290
9 Mitsubishi Outlander287
10 Toyota RAV4261
MARCH TOP 10 REGISTRATIONS
1 Toyota2316
2 Ford1522
3 Holden1104
4 Mazda1095
5 Mitsubishi1056
6 Hyundai808
7 Suzuki736
8 Nissan631
9 Kia626
10 Honda519