Toyota leads march sales

Positive results for importers but concerning figures for local car makers are expected when the Australian new car sales figures are released today.

Industry sources said the market for March was likely to be just over 96,000, up by nearly four per cent compared to the 2011 numbers for the same month, with most of the brands in the top 10 up on March 2011.

Toyota remains well out in front, with Holden and Mazda close for the next two spots - the Adelaide car maker just managed to retain in second spot, hampered by sluggish Commodore sales.

Holden staffers were not keen to comment beyond stating the brand had a good month for sales of the Barina, Cruze and the Captiva SUV, but official figures are expected to show Commodore sales continued tracking along similar lines to the first two months of 2012.

The bad news for Ford's Falcon continues, with the big sedan's sales slide yet to abate - the Melbourne car maker will launch its EcoBoost four-cylinder turbocharged Falcon this month in an attempt to find new buyers for the iconic model.

A Ford spokesperson said the bulk of the Blue Oval range had put in strong performances last month and the Falcon had not been assisted by any special sales programs.

Mazda's sales growth continues with the Japanese brand reporting an all-time record sales month in March and a record first quarter tally, led by the new CX-5 SUV and the Mazda3.

"The CX-5 gave us a good boost, we had 1400 sales in its first month ... a storming result for Mazda last month," he said.

Volkswagen had a 30 per cent jump over its sales from March last year, with the Polo, Golf, Jetta and Amarok all contributing to the hard-charging German brand's first-quarter.

Kia also had another good month and is expecting to again feature in the top 10 for March, while its Korean cousin Hyundai has also put in a strong March tally.

Kia Australia spokesman Kevin Hepworth said the Korean brand has better overall supply and the new Si model Optima, as well as growing SUV sales, to boost its sales figures.

Nissan sold a total of 8317 vehicles last month, its fourth consecutive month of sales growth - and executive sales and fleet general manager Ian Moreillon said the result was due to an improving product range.

Glen Martin, 64, wanted to get out of his Toyota Camry and into a small SUV and the new CX-5 appealed, which will be the fourth Mazda owned by the family.

"I was looking for something comfortable and reliable that we can drive across Australia, with room and the higher seating position - we really liked the CX-5, I was thinking 4WD and diesel but decided that we would get the 2WD petrol," he said.

"I was looking at a Forester, XV and X-Trail but it didn't compare to this CX-5, I think we've found the right car for us," he said.

Holden has appointed a new executive director of manufacturing - current director of vehicle assembly operations Richard Phillips.

Mr Phillips, 41, began his career at Holden's Elizabeth factory as an apprentice fitter and machinist in 1987 and was Holden's Apprentice of the Year in 1991.

Mr Phillips, now in charge of the Elizabeth plant and Holden's engine plant in Port Melbourne, has had roles at Elizabeth that included manufacturing engineering team program manager for the introduction of the VE Commodore in 2001.

Current executive director of manufacturing Martyn Cray is returning to the UK to work for Vauxhall.