SYDNEY, March 5 (Reuters) - Australian new vehicle salesenjoyed another strong month in February as sports utilitiesflew off the lots and hot demand in the commercial sectoraugured well for business investment.
The Australian Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries'VFACTS report on Monday showed 95,999 new vehicles were sold inFebruary, up a brisk 7.6 percent on the same month of last year.Both months had the same number of selling days.
That followed record sales in both January and December,hinting at a welcome pick-up in consumer spending.
"To have the market already running 6.1 percent ahead oflast year's record total indicates that consumer confidence isstill strong and all those elements which underpin our economyremain in position," said FCAI chief executive Tony Weber.
For February alone, sales of SUVs were up 12.1 percent fromthe year before, while passenger vehicles dipped 0.7 percent.
Demand for commercial vehicles continued its strong run withthe light sector up 13.3 percent on last year, while sales ofheavy vehicles jumped 31.9 percent.
Toyota Motor Corp 7203.T retained first place on the salesladder in February with an expanded share of 19 percent. MazdaMotor Corp 7261.T snatched second spot with 10.3 percent,followed by Hyundai Motor 005380.KS at 8.3 percent.
Ford F.N took 6.3 percent, while the Holden unit ofGeneral Motors GM.N held an unusually small share at 4.9percent.