4wds lead car sales to record highs

Extracts from SMH story Jan 4 2013.

"The Australian new-car market made a mockery of economic doomsayers last year, with sales climbing to record levels.

driven by strong growth in SUVs and four-wheel-drive utes, and attractive deals from importers taking advantage of the strong Australian dollar.

The Commodore and Ford’s Falcon each saw sales dip by more than 25 per cent in 2012 as buyers continued to switch to small cars and SUVs.

SUVs remained the fastest growing segment of the market, with sales up 25.3 per cent over the previous year. The growth was driven by the arrival of a rash of new models, in particular compact SUVs that are not much bigger than a small car.

Toyota’s Prado recorded growth of more than 50 per cent, while the even bigger LandCruiser grew by almost 20 per cent as Australia’s number one car brand rebounded from the effects of the Japanese tsunami and flooding in Thailand, where its HiLux is built.

Biggest winners (min 5000 sales)

1. Jeep - up 108.3 per cent

2. Renault - up 38.3 per cent

3. Land Rover - up 36.0 per cent

4. Great Wall - up 27.0 per cent"

http://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/4wds-lead-car-sales-to-record-highs-20130104-2c850.html