VACC and TACC have welcomed today’s announcement that more than one million new vehicles were sold during 2010.

VFACTS figures, released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), show that 1,035,574 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in the calendar year 2010. This total is up 10.5 per cent, or 98,246 vehicles, compared to 2009.
 
It is the second highest annual sales figure and only the third time that more than one million units have been sold in a year.
 
“To achieve the magic million, yet again, is a great result and a reminder of the resilience of the automotive industry in Australia,” VACC / TACC Media Manager, Murray Collins said.
 
“2010 was a testing year, both economically and politically, and to maintain this high level of confidence in the new vehicle market is a credit to all concerned.
 
“Victorian and Tasmanian new car dealers had to contend with two tight elections, at federal and state level, and when you add high interest rates and a withdrawal of Government stimulus packages, it really was a twelve-month period of uncertainty and readjustment.
 
“Today’s figures help highlight the importance of the automotive industry to the Australia economy. Vehicle Manufacturing and the Retail, Service and Repair (RS&R) sectors employ more than 200,000 people, with a turn over more than $100 billion. 
 
“The role of the nation’s automotive industry should not be understated and we look to the Federal and State Governments to do what they can to support it during 2011.
 
“New car dealers should also be congratulated for the role they have played in helping to achieve the million-plus sales figure. We hope this year will be a year of consolidation and growth and we are cautiously optimistic for the twelve months ahead. We may be only a few days into 2011, but the feedback we have received from new car dealers so far indicates that potential buyers believe this holiday period is a good time to visit their local showroom and to discuss new vehicles with the latest safety and environmental features,” Mr Collins said.