Japanese carmaker Toyota was Australia's best-selling automotive brand in August selling 15,885 vehicles for an 18% market share, followed by Holden with 11,534 (13.1%) and Mazda with 9138 sales (10.4% market share).

According to latest figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), new motor vehicle sales rose 7.3 % with 88,082 new vehicles sold in August compared to the previous month.

Mazda3 was the best selling single model in August, with 4,234 reported sales. Holden’s Commodore and Cruze models placed second and third with 3,682 and 3,234 sales, followed by Toyota Corolla (3,100) and Toyota HiLux (2,823).

"These positive figures are good news for the automotive industry in Australia, and put the industry firmly on track to achieve the one million sales target for 2011," FCAI acting chief executive Steve Payne said in a statement.

Payne said the robust August sales reflected a range of factors, including the attractiveness of the very large range of models available to Australian buyers.

"We’re continuing to see a recovery in supply from earthquake and tsunami-damaged Japan, along with stronger sales in Queensland as the state recovers from severe weather events earlier in the year," he said.

This optimism, however, was negated as year-to-date car sales posted lower by 4.4 percent.

"Despite these encouraging figures, year-to-date new vehicle sales are still trailing 2010 levels by some 4.4%, or 30,357 vehicles," he said.

On a year-to-date basis, around 665,309 vehicles were sold in Australia as against 695,666 vehicles for the same period last year.

Among the top 10 best-selling auto makes, Mazda had its best-ever month, ranking third in August with 9,138 new vehicle sales.
Passenger vehicles accounted for 6,783 of Mazdas sold, up more than 44% on August 2010.

Sales of Holden’s locally manufactured vehicles were up 55% month-on-month, reflecting strong demand for the company’s Commodore and Cruze models.

Payne said private and business customers are continuing their shift toward compact sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and 4x4 utility vehicles, with respective sales growing 4.9% and 6.7% year-to-date.

"The Luxury SUV segment also continues to strengthen, up 18.9% year-to-date. Despite these encouraging figures, year-to-date new vehicle sales are still trailing 2010 levels by some 4.4%, or 30,357 vehicles," he said.