2020.04.0307:25:00UTC+00Australia Auto Sales Decline In March: FCAI

Australia's automobile sales declined in March amid COVID-19 outbreak, data published by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, or FCAI, showed on Friday.

Auto sales declined 17.9 percent year-on-year in March mainly due to the effects of coronavirus outbreak on the economy.

The lobby said this was the 24th consecutive month of negative growth for the automotive industry in Australia.

Sales totaled to 81,690 in March. Of the total sales, passenger vehicles represented 26.7 percent, 48.0 percent by SUVs and 22.2 percent by commercial vehicles.

Toyota was the best seller in March, followed by Mazda, Mitsubishi, Kia and Hyundai.

"Despite the difficult conditions, numerous automotive dealerships around Australia remained open," Tony Weber, chief executive of the FCAI said.