According to figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, 79,244 motor vehicles were sold in August - up 3,071 vehicles or four per cent on the previous August record set last year.

Year-to-date sales are up 5.2 per cent on last year’s record total and the FCAI says the market remains on track to reach a forecast record of 960,000 sales by year’s end.

“National accounts showing that consumer spending power is up seven per cent indicate that motor vehicle sales are likely to remain very strong for the rest of the year,” said FCAI chief executive Peter Sturrock.

“At the same time, a flood of new models being released by car makers in the third quarter, coinciding with the Australian International Motor Show, is likely to further tempt buyers.”

The introduction of three new SUV models by Australia's Big Three - Ford, Holden and Toyota - has accounted for 40 per cent of the total increase in the record motor vehicle sales.

It has also accounted for 97 per cent of the growth in the medium SUV segment, which is up by more than 50 per cent so far this year. And the segment sales leader, the Ford Territory was only released on 1st June.

"Ford Territory (5,757 sales), Toyota Kluger (5,209), and Holden Adventra (1,915) have been star performers in a stellar year," said Peter Sturrock.

"They have tapped a new demand amongst Australian consumers for roomy, passenger car based, utility vehicles which are also stylish."

Toyota was the best-selling brand in August with 20.6 percent of the market, ahead of Holden (18.3 per cent) and Ford (14.7 per cent).

In total annual sales to date Toyota now leads Holden by 16,358 vehicles.

The traditional passenger vehicle market is holding its own.

By the end of August 386,223 traditional passenger vehicles had been sold - just 43 vehicles less than in the same period last year.

“Increasing demand for cars in the light, small and medium segments is lessening demand for large vehicles as user-choosers change the face of fleet vehicle demand,” said Peter Sturrock.

“The large car market is also being affected by SUV demand.”

Mr Sturrock said the strength of the economy was also indicated by the continuing record sales of light commercial vehicles.

The Light Truck Market has reached 110,588 sales for the year-to-date, up 13.9 per cent on last year’s record annual total.