Brand-new car sales struck a record monthly high in June, with private buyers returning to the market. New vehicle sales topped 108,722 units, 5.7 per cent higher than a year ago, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) said today.

June was the highest selling month ever, according to FCAI.

"The record June result was a clear demonstration of renewed confidence in the marketplace," said FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar.

"It is encouraging to see that private buyers have returned to the market in greater numbers and have taken over the momentum previously attributed to business sales."

A total of 531,168 cars had been sold in the calendar year-to-date. The current figures represent a16.7 per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2009.

"Given the stronger than expected state of the market over the past six months, the industry has upgraded its annual sales forecast to in excess of 980,000 units - up from our original forecast of 940,000 sales," Mr McKellar said.

"This is a positive yet cautious outlook for the second half of the year, as we assess the impact of factors on the market such as previous interest rate increases."

Sales of sport utility vehicles soared 30.9 per cent in the first half-year of 2010. Passenger cars followed with an increase of15.8 per cent. Heavy commercials went up 8.8 per cent and light commercials grew 5.8 per cent.
Toyota secured the largest market share of 20.2 per cent. General Motors Holden comes next with 12.9 per cent, followed by Ford with 9.3 per cent.