Australians bought a record 988,269 cars and trucks in 2005, with an 18.5 per cent increase in small car sales accounting for a large part, according to figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) last week.

Sales of large cars fell nationally by 15.7 per cent, although demand for 4WDs was up 4.2 per cent.

Allan Reekie Ford sales manager Paul Loveridge said that local sales of larger model Fords had bucked the trend to small cars, largely due to the success of the XR6 Falcon - a sports family car - and the new Ford Territory 4WD.

Allan Mackay Autos principal David Mackay said high petrol prices had resulted in greater interest in small cars and a fourfold increase in inquiries for diesel vehicles at the peak of petrol prices.

Moss Vale Auto Group general manager Rebecca Cribbin said a flurry of small cars sales when petrol prices hit $1.40 was not sustained.

"Buyers are not only looking at petrol prices, but the whole cost of the car," she said.

"We are still selling a lot of big cars and 4WDs are still selling."

[Full report: SHN, Monday, January 9, 2006]