Australia June vehicle sales surge, 3rd highest ever

SYDNEY, July 3 (Reuters) - New vehicle sales in Australia
surged to their third highest ever in June, an industry report
showed on Friday, likely boosted by financial year-end sales
and government tax breaks on new cars for small business.

The Australian Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries
said vehicle sales climbed 11.8 percent in seasonally adjusted
terms in June, from May.

In original terms, sales jumped 36.3 percent to 102,847.
That was down 3.5 percent on the record sales seen in June last
year, but still the third highest monthly volume ever.

Vehicle demand is typically strong in June as dealers cut
prices to clear stock for the end of the financial year. The
Labor government also raised the tax break for small businesses
buying new vehicles to 50 percent, from 30 percent.

Sales for the year to date were running 16.1 percent behind
the same period in 2008.

Toyota Motor Corp. (7203.T) again took the top sales
position in June, with a share of 20.8 percent. The Holden unit
of General Motors Corp GM.N took second spot with 11.8
percent. Ford Motor Co. (F.N) took 9.9 percent, while Mazda
(7261.T) grabbed 8.2 percent.

Details of the VFACTS report in original terms:
June May m/m pct Jun 08 y/y pct Sales
102,847 75,441 +36.3 106,541 -3.5

Sales by Type: Jun '09/Jun '08 Volumes

Change Pct Change

Passenger Vehicles -5,659 -9.2

Sports Utility -957 -4.5

Light Truck +3,101 +15.5

Heavy Commercial -179 -5.0
(Reporting by Wayne Cole; Editing by James Thornhill)