Holden Hits First Quarter Sales High

Holden has achieved its highest first quarter sales in company history, driven by record first quarter sales for its light truck range.

Figures released this week by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries showed Holden has now sold 42,768 vehicles for 2004, seven per cent more than in 2003, and is second-placed overall right behind Toyota and ahead of Ford.

The record was sealed with an all-time March record for Holden of 16,503 units, achieving market share of 19.2 per cent, including market-leading performances in the passenger and light truck segments.

The Holden Ute and Rodeo ranges both set March records for Holden, the Ute breaking through 2000 sales record.

Holden achieved passenger market share of 21.7% with 11,645 sales and light truck sales of 28.9% with sales of 4332. It posted the best Commodore sales in March since 1996 with 7206 units, and record sales for five carlines including Rodeo, Ute, Combo, Caprice and Zafira.

Holden Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Ross McKenzie, said Holden had revised its 2004 industry forecast to 950,000 from 900,000 and Holden forecast to 187,000 from 184,000.

Mr McKenzie said market's performance during March, in which sales were up 13 per cent on last year, highlighted the possibility of Australians buying one million cars and trucks for the first time.

"This year's sales indicate a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 985,000 sales, excluding any external factors which might come into play later in the year," he said.