Australia's automotive sales reached a record high in June, with 101,907 cars, trucks and buses sold in June.

This has beaten the previous record monthly total of 97,212 set in June, 2004.

This was the first time for the Australian automotive industry to sell more than 100,000 motor vehicles in a single month.

New figures released by Australia's Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) Tuesday showed that the industry sold 498,967 vehicles in the first half of this year, 5.4 percent ahead of the same period last year.

FCAI Chief Executive Peter Sturrock is forecasting a 2005 total of 980,000, saying the growth is being driven to new heights by fierce competition, appealing new models and a growing demand for more economical cars.

"The small car segment is booming this year, led by a record result for Toyota Corolla last month, suggesting that fuel economy has risen on the list of priorities for many buyers," he said in a statement.

So far this year, sales of the small car segment are up 16.6 percent and those of the light car segment up 8.5 percent, according to FCAI new figures.

Toyota was the top-selling brand in June with 21,545, accounting for 21.1 percent shares of the market. It was followed by Holden with 17,108 (16.8 percent), Ford with 12,951 (12.7 percent) and Mitsubishi with 8136 (8 percent).

Source: Xinhua