New data shows 101,233 vehicles were sold in March, remaining on par with figures reported for March 2021.
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) report released Tuesday revealed the 101,233 new vehicle sales represents an increase of 1,228 vehicle sales or 1.2% compared to March 2021.
Car sales figures for the months prior in January and February reached 75,863 and 85,340 respectively, bringing the year-to-date total to 262,436.
FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said the relatively stable result reflected the challenges facing the global automotive industry.
"This is historically a unique time in which supply rather than demand is determining the size of the market due to manufacturers recovering from the pandemic-related shutdowns and the ongoing global shortage of micro processing units" Mr Weber said.
Despite these challenges, Mr Weber notes consumer inquiries and demand for new cars remains strong, with manufacturers work hard to match demand with supply.
The report revealed state-by-state sales statistics compared to March 2021, which noted:
- Tasmania sales increased by 8.2% with 1,768 vehicles sold.
- Victoria sales increased by 5.3% with 27,155 vehicles sold.
- Western Australia sales increased 5.3% with 10,016 vehicles sold.
- Australian Capital Territory sales decreased 6.2% compared with 1,560 vehicles sold.
- New South Wales sales decreased 0.8% with 32,224 sold.
- Northern Territory sales decreased 0.2% with 916 vehicles sold.
- Queensland sales decreased 1.7% with 21,214 vehicles sold.
- South Australian sales decreased 0.1% with 6,380 vehicles sold.
In terms of manufacturers, the report detailed Toyota was the market leader in March 2022 with 21,828 vehicles sold, followed by Mazda with 11,248, Mitsubishi with 9,007, Hyundai with 6,516 and Kia came in fifth place with 6,051.
See Also: Top Five Affordable Electric Cars in Australia
Electric vehicle surge
There have been 6,752 electric vehicles sold so far in 2022, representing a near 600% increase on the same three-month period in 2021.
The report revealed March was the first month to record Tesla sales figures, with Tesla selling 4,417 vehicles so far in 2022 - all of them the Model 3.
Tesla's reported sales figures account for almost two-thirds or 65.4% of all Australian electric vehicle sales so far in 2022.
The latest VFACTS report is also the first time Polestar has been included, with the Polestar 2 recording 115 sales so far in 2022.
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