There's been a large jump in May 2017 car sales, setting the scene for another record car sales year in Australia.
There are murmurs that Cyclone Debbie and numerous floods have had a one-off sizeable effect on vehicle sales, because of the substantial number of vehicles destroyed in these weather events.
It takes very little for a vehicle to become a Statutory Write-Off in todays strictly-regulated world.
Just a thump that crinkles a panel such as firewall, floor, roof or even a chassis/subframe member, and the vehicle goes to the scrapyard.
You cannot even re-use any electronic component from such a vehicle, even when they appear undamaged.
This is because authorities claim that many electronic components are easily damaged by impact or water, and that many electronic components play a part in safety systems.
They say, unknown damage to electronics = unknown effect on safety systems = vehicle safety compromised.
Not many people know that water covering the entire floorpan of a vehicle means it becomes a SWO - because many vehicles locate important electronic components on the floor inside vehicles, and under seats.
The sales figures show
Ranger is pegging Hilux, and crimping Toyota gains in this area.
It's obvious the extra cubic centimetres of a decent engine size are helping
Ranger no end.
I know a lot of people are upset at Hilux getting smaller cube engines in the last model.
However, new Hilux owners I know, and have spoken to, are happy with their new Hiluxes, with owners of the 2.8L saying they produce more power, and use less fuel, than the previous 3.0L.
Landcruiser and Patrol are becoming like Falcons and Commodores - just shadows on the sales chart. Bit of a change from 10 years ago - with just 73 in total of these two models sold in May, Australia-wide.
However, "Upper Large SUV's" have recorded a 73% jump on the previous May - so there must be quite a few more big Lotto winners than usual, in May this year.
May 2017 also had an extra day in the month, as compared to May 2016, and this apparently makes quite a difference in sales comparisons.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/556571/may-2017-vfacts-new-vehicle-sales/?