SYDNEY, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Sales of new vehicles in Australia rose 6.8 percent in September compared with the same month a year ago, driven by solid growth in demand for sports utilities.
The Australian Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries' VFACTS report on Monday showed total sales were 101,392 in September, compared with 94,978 for the same month last year.
Sales were up 11.8 percent from August.
Sports utility vehicles (SUV) jumped 23.1 percent on September last year. Sales of passenger vehicles edged up 2.0 percent, while demand for light commercial vehicles dipped 8.7 percent. Sales of heavy vehicles climbed 2.4 percent.
Toyota Motor Corp 7203.T retained first place on the sales ladder with a market share of 16.4 percent in the month, while Mazda Motor Corp 7261.T took second spot with 10.7 percent.
Hyundai Motor Co 005380.KS and the local Holden unit of General Motors Co (NYSE:GM) GM.N both had 9.2 percent, while Ford F.N trailed with 5.7 percent.
Details of the VFACTS report in original terms:
Sep
Aug
m/m pct
Sep/14 y/y pct
Sales
101,392 90,705 +11.8
94,978 +6.8
Sales by Type:
Sep '15/Sep '14 Volumes
Change
Pct Change
Passenger Vehicles
+902
+2.0
Sports Utility
+6,929
+23.1
Light Commercial
-1483
-8.7
Heavy Commercial
+66
+2.4