Australian new vehicle sales slip in May

SYDNEY, June 4 (Reuters) - New vehicle sales in Australia
fell 2.2 percent in seasonally adjusted terms in May, compared
to April, adding to evidence consumers were cutting back in the
face of record petrol prices and high interest rates.

Monthly data from the Australian Federal Chamber of
Automotive Industries showed sales rose 5.4 percent in original
terms in May, after a very weak April result.

But sales were essentially flat compared to May last year,
a sharp slowdown from annual growth of 11.2 percent in April.

Details of the VFACTS report in original terms:

May April m/m pct May 07 y/y pct

Sales 88,640 84,061 +5.4 88,597 0.0

Sales by Type:

May '08/May '07 Volumes

Change Pct Change

Passenger Vehicles -1,328 -2.5

Sports Utility +384 +2.3

Light Truck +981 +6.2

Heavy Commercial +6 +0.2

Toyota Motor Corp. (7203.T) held the top sales position in
May with a 23.4 percent share, and holds 23.3 percent of the
market for the year so far compared to 21.9 percent at the same
stage in 2007.

The Holden unit of General Motors Corp (GM.N) took second
spot in May with a 12.5 percent share, while Ford Motor Co.
(F.N) came third with 10.9 percent.
(Reporting by Wayne Cole)