The ABS released the April 2015 sales today. Hard to read the data, as there are some significant variations between the trend estimate and the seasonally adjusted figures, though on both measures Sport Utilities continued to shine.
The trend estimate (our preferred view) for April 2015 was 95 288, an increased by 0.5% when compared with March 2015. This was the highest April result on record. When comparing national trend estimates for April 2015 with March 2015, sales of Sports utility and Other vehicles increased by 1.9% and 0.1% respectively. Over the same period, Passenger vehicles decreased by 0.4%.
Seven of the eight states and territories experienced an increase in new motor vehicle sales when comparing April 2015 with March 2015. Tasmania recorded the largest percentage increase (1.6%), followed by Queensland (1.1%) and the Northern Territory (0.9%). Over the same period, Western Australia was the only jurisdiction to record a decrease in sales (0.1%).
Turning to the seasonally adjusted estimates, the April 2015 seasonally adjusted estimate (94 888) has decreased by 1.5% when compared with March 2015. When comparing seasonally adjusted estimates for April 2015 with March 2015 sales of Passenger and Other vehicles decreased by 8.3% and 0.6% respectively. Over the same period, Sports utility vehicles increased by 7.4%.
Five of the states and territories experienced a decrease in new motor vehicle sales when comparing April 2015 with March 2015. The Australian Capital Territory recorded the largest percentage decrease (6.1%) followed by Queensland (4.8%) and Western Australia (2.8%). Over the same period, the Northern Territory recorded the largest increase in sales (3.2%).
