Australian motor vehicle sales continued at record levels last month, powered by strong demand for small cars and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

Figures released yesterday by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries show 76,330 vehicles were sold last month, beating the record set the previous April by 5,025 vehicles or 7 per cent.

According to industry statistician VFACTS, year-to-date sales are running 5.1 percent ahead of 2004.

Last year an all-time record 955,215 cars, trucks and buses were sold in Australia and the Chamber is forecasting another record will be set this year.

"Since January we’ve been forecasting the 2005 marketing at 980,000 and on current trends we’ll surpass that," said the Chief Executive of the FCAI, Peter Sturrock.

Mr Sturrock said the April results confirmed a clear upward trend in demand for smaller cars.

Sales of the Small car segment were up 24 per cent on April last year, while Medium cars were up 10.3 per cent and Light cars up 2.3 per cent.

"Sales of the smaller passenger car segments have been trending upwards for more than a year and the recent spike in petrol prices is probably reinforcing it," said Mr Sturrock.

The popularity of multipurpose SUV models continues with year to date sales up 15 per cent compared to last year. This growth has mainly occurred with sales of compact and medium sized SUVs, led by the Australian built Ford Territory.