Holden has achieved its second month of market leadership in 2005, helping it to a record first quarter sales result.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industry figures released today show Holden sold 16,032 vehicles in March, taking the total first quarter sales to a company record of 43,437 vehicles.

The strong results were underpinned by record first quarter sales for light truck leader Rodeo and ever-popular small car Astra.

Holden sold 2,446 Rodeos in March, a total of 6,423 for the quarter, cementing Holden’s market leadership and record sales in the light truck segment for the quarter.

The Holden Ute range also continues to dominate, with 4,701 vehicle sales, up 288 units on its Falcon rival year to date.

Holden achieved its best ever first quarter light truck sales of 11,386 units, up 6.3 per cent on the 2004 record, compared with volume declines for Ford and Toyota. The results cement Holden’s light truck leadership with 30.9 per cent market share, up from 27.9 per cent in 2004.

In the ultra competitive small car segment, Astra achieved its highest first quarter sales of 8,738 units (including convertible), and 2,928 for March.

The small car success and consistent sales for Commodore, Australia’s best-selling large car for 18 consecutive months, ensured Holden maintained its number one position in the passenger segment with market share of 21.1 per cent year to date.

However, Holden and Toyota experienced declines in market share for the first quarter compared the same period last year, with Holden down 0.6 per cent points to 18.3 per cent.

Holden Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Ross McKenzie, said the industry’s first quarter record of 237,000, a 4.5 per cent increase year on year, reflected intense competition.

“The industry record is a strong indication the Australian market will reach one million sales this year,” Mr McKenzie said.

“Other positive signs in the economy, including historic low unemployment at 5.1 per cent and strong business spending, bode well for the industry".

“The popularity and affordability of small cars also continues to increase with sales up nearly 13 per cent on last year following the tariff reduction in January. Holden is well placed in the segment with a range of stylish new models such as Astra and four-cylinder products, such as the Tigra hard-top convertible, arriving later in the year.”