SYDNEY, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Sales of new vehicles in Australia rose 3.4 percent in October compared with the same period a year ago, a second month of strong gains led by demand for sports utilities.
The Australian Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries' VFACTS report on Thursday showed total sales were 94,321 in October, compared with 91,235 for the same month last year. Both months had the same number of selling days.
Sales were down 7.0 percent from September.
Sports utility vehicles (SUV) extended their blistering run with sales up 20.5 percent on last year, with the small SUV segment up 37 percent.
Sales of passenger vehicles dipped 5.3 percent, while demand for light commercial vehicles eased 1.9 percent. Sales of heavy vehicles fell by 8.3 percent.
Toyota Motor Corp 7203.T retained first place on the sales ladder with an increased market share of 18.0 percent in October. Hyundai Motor Co 005380.KS stole second spot with 9.5 percent, passing Mazda Motor Corp 7261.T at 9.0 percent.
The local Holden unit of General Motors Co (N:GM) had 8.6 percent, while Ford F.N trailed with 6.5 percent.