Tow tugs selling strongly

Aussie buyers can’t seem to get enough of SUVs and utes that can tow at least three tonnes, with sales of Australia’s best tow tugs mostly up for the first three months of 2015.

According to the latest VFACTS figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), year-to-date sales of SUVs overall increased by nearly 12,700 units, to 95,221 to the end of March.

In the large SUV segment, sales of the five-seat Mitsubishi Challenger were up 18.1 percent to 660 units, compared to the same period last year, while Holden’s Colorado 7 was up 62.9 percent to 575, off the back of a controversial ad campaign.

Two of Australia’s most popular tow vehicles, the Jeep Grand Cherokee (3500kg towing maximum) and Toyota Prado (2500kg) continued to battle it out for the title of Australia’s best selling large SUV. That’s despite sales of both models dropping this year, with Prado down 15.1 percent to 3411 units and the Grand Cherokee down 18.9 percent to 3339.

Mitsubishi’s ageing Pajero is defying the odds with year-to-date sales up 38.4 percent to 1374 units, while one of Caravancampingsales’ favourite tow tugs, the Land Rover Discovery 4 was up 24.7 percent to 829.

Sales of the 3.5 tonne capable Volkswagen Touareg were also up, by 55.9 percent to 605. Like the Prado, Australia’s ‘other’ favourite tow tug, the Toyota LandCruiser, has recorded slightly fewer sales so far this year, down to 2122.

Also roaring up the sales charts is Isuzu’s seven-seat MU-X with its three tonne towing capacity. Sales of the Thai-built off-roader were up 136.3 percent to 1425.

Increasingly popular with caravanners due to their improved comfort and impressive towing and load capacities dual cab utes, or light commercial vehicles in general, are also on a sales surge.

Four-wheel drive ute sales were up 4.6 per cent, to 46,883, led by Toyota’s ubiquitous HiLux with 6057 units.

Also popular was the Ford Ranger (up 9.3 percent to 4932), Holden Colorado (up 2.9 percent to 3720), Mitsubishi Triton (up 80.5 percent to 4947), Isuzu D-MAX (up 19.1 percent to 2319), Mazda BT-50 (up 4.6 percent to 2391), and Volkswagen Amarok (up 13.8 percent to 2034).

"In particular, we saw private purchases of light commercial vehicles increase significantly in March 2015, with sales up 33.4 per cent,” said FCAI chief Tony Weber.

“The versatility of these vehicles makes them a popular choice for many Australians, providing the capacity needed for work, leisure and family activities."

The increase in non-business buyers of large SUVs and utes corresponds with continued strong demand for new caravans, with more than half of the 21,300 RVs built in Australia last year, requiring a decent sized tow vehicle.

Overall, Australian new-car buyers last month purchased 105,054 vehicles – a new record for March, and an indicator the market is recovering from 2014's sales slump.

The Hilux (third), Triton (fourth), and Ranger (sixth) also featured in the list of 10 best selling cars during March.

For the year to date, Toyota remains the most popular auto brand, with 48,986 sales so far. The top-selling car in the country, on 11,672 sales is the Corolla, which could possibly pull a lightweight caravan or camper with a tow rating of 1300kg.