News is often what we see

[rjlhughes]

It's interesting isn't it the way we can notice stuff that becomes news.

I was surprised by the number of cars that had been unloaded at White Bay in Sydney over the weekend. And the ABS figures for July showed that around one in 20 Australians had bought a new car in that month - with almost a million cars sold. It looks like the trend is continuing this month from the evidence of my eyes:

[MHD]

it's crazy isnt it!

Thats basically one in ~7 families that will but a new car..

*does quick sum*
1 million * say 20,000

20 Billion dollars... big biccies

[rjlhughes]

985,000 vehicles fitted with brand new plates. Up 4.9% over 12 months.

That's a complete replacement of the australian fleet every 21 months, isn't it?

Passenger vehicles up 7.7% while sports utility vehicles were flat after 17% increase last year. Growth was also in the sub $15k zone, since fuel prices are up 10% in the year.

People have jettisoned the fuel guzzling 4WDs because of fuel costs, of course.

And that's helped by the fact that motor vehicle prices are down 2.7% in the year.

The losers in this - mechanics, I suppose.

[MHD]

The winners: poor schmos like me who buy second hand!

[gstark]

I was surprised by the number of cars that had been unloaded at White Bay in Sydney over the weekend. And the ABS figures for July showed that around one in 20 Australians had bought a new car in that month - with almost a million cars sold. It looks like the trend is continuing this month from the evidence of my eyes:

Bob,

I'm wondering if perhaps what you're seeing is the result, in August, of the July purchases? What's not said for your July numbers is how many were actually delivered, and perhaps those vehicles at White Bay have arrived to fulfill some of those July orders?

Regardless, for 1 in 20 to be buying a new car is really quite an impressive statistic.

[MHD]

not only that Gary, but much less than 20 in 20 can drive...

so we are looking at more like 1 in 15

[owen]

Maybe my new car is among them. I put an order in for a new Ford Focus 6 weeks ago... they can't tell me where it is or anything. It's true that customer service ends after you sign the dotted line.

[Killakoala]

Don't forget that the bulk of the purchases will be for Government and Commercial fleets. It's the new financial year so money is now available for new vehicles.