AUSSIE VEHICLE SALES RISE FOR FIRST TIME IN 16 MONTHS

MELBOURNE, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Annual, new vehicle sales have risen for the first time in 16 months, in a further sign that the Australian economy is on the recovery path.

The sales of passenger cars, sports utility vehicles (SUV) and commercial
vehicles rose 2.2 percent to 80,813 in October from the same month last year,
data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showed.

It was the first time since June 2008 that sales have increased from the
previous year.

"This was a good solid monthly result with the welcome return of private,
business and rental buyers in larger numbers," FCAI chief executive Andrew
McKellar said in a statement Thursday.

McKellar said more sales were expected toward the end of this year.

"The industry is looking to round off the year on a positive note and we
expect a further surge in sales as businesses move to take advantage of the
successful tax break prior to the end of the year," he said.

The FCAI survey showed SUV sales lead the charge in the year to October,
recording a 9.5 percent rise, followed by a 3.4 percent lift in light
commercial vehicles and a 1.3 percent increase in passenger cars.

Heavy commercial vehicle sales though, fell 24.9 percent.

Toyota remained in the top sales position with 17,888 vehicles, ahead of
Holden with 10,737 and Ford with 8,240.

Year-to-date, 762,787 new vehicles have been sold, down 11.7 percent
compared with the same period last year, the FCAI said.
-- BERNAMA