Vehicle Sales in Australia Post July Record

Sales of new cars and trucks in Australia rose to a record 92,300 units last month compared with 89,900 in July 2014, says the country's Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

Growth was led by a 13% jump in sales of SUV/crossover vehicles. Demand for conventional passenger cars fell 5%, continuing a long-running decline. The trade group says light-truck sales climbed 5%, but heavy-truck deliveries fell 3%.

Top carmakers ranked by market share were led by Toyota (18%), Mazda (10%), Hyundai (9%), GM-Holden (9%) and Ford (6%).