Motor vehicle sales in January 2004 almost reached 65,000 – a new record for the first month of the year, 5.9 percent greater than the previous January record which was achieved last year.

Figures released yesterday by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) reveal Australians bought 64,797 new vehicles in January, 3,627 more than in the same month last year.

The passenger car market rose 1.7 percent, demand for 4x4/AWD's rose 13.5 percent and demand for light trucks was up an amazing 14.1 percent.

Toyota led January sales with 13,532 deliveries, some 1,846 vehicle sales ahead of its nearest rival Holden who sold 11,686 units. Ford came in third with 8,154 sales.

Demand for Australian manufactured vehicles grew marginally.

A total of 16,359 locally made Holdens, Fords, Toyota and Mitsubishis were delivered, 130 more than January 2003.

“Private buyers spent the summer holidays car shopping,“ Peter Sturrock, chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries said.

“There was substantial increased demand for light, medium and prestige cars – the domain of the private buyer,“ Mr Sturrock said.

“Demand for prestige vehicles was up 61.2 percent so it seems many people were rewarding themselves.”

Mr Sturrock said demand in the light commercial vehicle market, which achieved more than 10,000 January deliveries for the first time, showed that business confidence was also high.

The FCAI has confirmed its 2004 market forecast is 900,000 – which is the same as last year’s record motor vehicle sales result.

Subaru achieved record January sales of 2508 vehicles.

This represents 3.9 per cent of the vehicle market for the month and is 330 units ahead of Subaru's previous January record of 2178 vehicles in 2003.

Among the standout performers were the new Outback with 495 sales - a January record for the model - versus 410 in the same month last year.

New Liberty sold 577 units compared to 203 the previous January.

Also, there was 548 Imprezas sold plus 888 Foresters.

This follows on from Subaru's all-time annual sales record of 29,829 vehicles in 2003 and a December record of 3064 - the first time Subaru passed 3000 in a month.

Chrysler Jeep sold 577 units in January, representing a 32% increase on last year's mark.

"January was a solid month and we look forward to a strong 2004," reported Managing Director Gerry Jenkins.

Sales highlights include:

• Jeep Cherokee sales (151 units) up 53% on January 2003.
• Chrysler PT Cruiser sales (72 units) up 89% on January 2003.
• Chrysler Crossfire had an excellent debut month with 42 units delivered.
• Jeep Wrangler sales (92 units) up 18% on January 2003.
• Jeep Grand Cherokee sales (145 units) up 16% on January 2003

Mazda Australia's record January retail sales of 3931
for a 6.1 per cent share of the market

Mazda retailed 725 Mazda 3s last month with the Maxx and Maxx Sport models proving to the most popular choices.

January also saw all but a few hundred of the remaining 323 models sold with the Mazda 3 and 323 combining to give Mazda 1736 sales or 13.2 per cent of the small car market.

Demand exceeded supply of the Mazda 6 Luxury and Luxury Sport hatches, holding back sales of the revised Mazda 6 range, which from last month became the only mid-size car offering six airbags and ABS brakes as standard. However, retails remained at a still healthy 906 (26.2 per cent of the medium market).

Limited supply of the revised Mazda 2 range, which is now priced from $17,490 with air conditioning, also held sales back to just 242.

Other Mazda models performed strongly with the RX-8 selling 171, while the B Series sold 394.

This year Mazda Australia expects to match last year’s record sales performance with a target of about 53,000 vehicles in a market that will again remain above 900,000.

Honda sold 3174 units in January, achieving the highest market share (4.9 per cent) since January 2000.

The Honda Accord range proved to be the top seller in the range with 1025 units. The Jazz was also strong with 705 units.

After achieving a new record last year of 30,817 sales, this result signals a very positive start to the year with a new record firmly in sight.

“Honda’s target for 2004 is 32,000 units and this month’s result creates a solid foundation,” said Honda Australia Director Lindsay Smalley.