Toyota's new-vehicle sales accelerated past its February result by 17% in March to drive the local auto industry to its highest March sales on record.
Corolla grabbed pole position and, with its best-ever March total of 4,261 sales, reasserted its position as the best-selling car in the country.
Toyota’s tally of more than 19,000 sales for the month and almost 49,000 for the first three months are its strongest sales performances in five years.
March deliveries by Toyota dealers of 19,082 vehicles were higher than the combined totals of the company’s two nearest rivals.
Of the total Toyota cars delivered in Australia last month, 13.5% were made in Australia with 2,319 Camry and 268 Aurions sold locally.
Despite the strong performance, Toyota said its decision to stop manufacturing in Australia by the end of 2017 is final and it will “not be reconsidering this decision”.
Robust demand for Toyota vehicles is a major factor behind the local industry eclipsing the 100,000 sales barrier for the first time in the third month of any year.
The 48,986 Toyota vehicles bought by customers to the end of March has given the market leader a margin of more than 20,000 sales as the country’s top-selling automotive brand in 2015.
Toyota’s executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said several factors contributed to the remarkably strong sales for the company and the industry.
“After property, new vehicles are the biggest purchase for most consumers – and both these sectors are benefiting from record-low interest rates,” Mr Cramb said.
“New-vehicle sales are also supported by aggressive competition resulting in a combination of prices and features that represent unprecedented value for money,” he said.
“New and better vehicles are entering the market almost every week – and Toyota is leading the way with new or upgraded models being launched almost every month this year.”
