Large-car sales get left in the slow lane

AUSTRALIA’S love affair with big and powerful petrol-driven cars is ending as small-car sales surge in the wake of the international fuel crisis.

If current trends continue, sales of cars categorised as “light” will outstrip “large” sedans for the first time this month as motorists respond to a marketing blitz by European manufacturers and downsize the family car to reduce household costs.

Figures produced by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries show that sales of “light” cars leapt 32 per cent in July and 21 per cent over the year, hitting 10,111 for the month.

SMH