Drivers start their engines as new vehicle sales soar in November

Latest sales figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, the peak body for the automotive industry, also showed Australians' love of SUVs (sport utility vehicles) isn't waning.

SUVs grabbed a 52.5 per cent share of the November market with sales of 50,016, up 26.5pc from the same month last year.

The top four selling models for the month were the Toyota Hi Lux with 5038 sales, the Ford Ranger with 4260, the Toyota RAV4 with 3800 and the Toyota Landcruiser with 2947.

In contrast, passenger vehicle sales dropped 10.1pc compared with November last year to 20,711.

Light commercial vehicles claimed 22.3pc of the market with sales of 21,252 sales, up 11.5pc on the same month last year.

Overall, new vehicle sales in November jumped 10,497 or 12.4pc on November 2019.

Year-to-date sales have reached 821,316, a 16.1pc slide on the same period in 2019.

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FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said the industry welcomed the first signs of recovery in the new vehicle market.

"Recent Australian new vehicles sales have seen 31 months of straight decline. This has been caused by a number of well recognised factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and environmental and financial issues.

"With the Australian economy showing improvement, it's good news to see new vehicle sales trending in a more positive direction," Mr Weber said.

"Why are we seeing an improvement now? We believe there are a few contributing factors, including rising optimism from the Australian public as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

"We also believe that, given our inability to travel internationally, many Australians are choosing to purchase a new vehicle and holiday at home this year - and we fully expect to see a notable increase in family driving trips over the Christmas season," Mr Weber said.

"With this in mind, the FCAI would like to remind all drivers to visit their dealers and ensure their vehicles are in first class condition prior to departing on a road-based family holiday."

Toyota was the top selling brand for the month with 23,204 sales followed by Mazda with 9053 sales, Hyundai with 6903 sales, Ford with 6613 sales and Mitsubishi with 5488 sales.