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In its VFACTS report today, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) said 81,661 new vehicles were sold last month compared with 86,177 sold in the corresponding month last year.That took demand for the year to 642,383 vehicles, a fall of 3.4 per cent.Toyota was clearly the top selling company in August with 18,585 vehicles ahead of Holden (11,819) and Ford (10,323).The Holden Commodore was Australia's top selling car with 4,986 sold during August.High fuel costs and rising interests have discouraged people from buying new cars, according to FCAI."After four years of record growth the FCAI had been forecasting a slight decline of total sales in 2006 and the downturn is only a little greater than our initial prediction," said the FCAI's Chief Executive, Peter Sturrock.Mr Sturrock said the industry is set to sell about 970,000 vehicles by year's end, which is down 10,000 compared to forecasts at the start of the year.Last year 988,269 vehicles were sold in Australia. Peter Sturrock said the August results were notable for the strong debuts of two new locally manufactured models."The enthusiastic reception for the Holden Commodore and Toyota Camry is a great encouragement to the local automotive industry," said Mr Sturrock.Sales of the smallest cars in the market continued to grow in August – the Light car segment registering a 31.4 per cent rise over the same month in 2005 – but the Small car segment was down slightly (1.3 per cent)."As the interest rate rises take effect it is not only the fuel economy of a vehicle that buyers are considering but also the monthly repayment that would be required," said Peter Sturrock.The Light Truck market was down last month by 8.9 per cent but within that the Pick-up/Cab-Chassis 4x4 segment rose by 7.0 per cent.The Sports Utility Vehicle market fell by 10.8 per cent in August and year-to-date is now down 7.4 per cent."Fuel economy is clearly the issue affecting SUV sales and it is notable that within that market the sales of Small SUVs are less affected," said Peter Sturrock.Toyota was Australia's bestselling vehicle brand in August with a 22.8 per cent share of the market, ahead of Holden (14.5 per cent) and Ford (12.6 per cent).FAST FACTS – Year-to-dateTotal sales: Jan-Aug 2006: 642,383 (down 22, 513 or 3.4 per cent to 2005)The Passenger Market: Jan-Aug 2006: 396,276 (down 11,280 or 2.8 per cent compared to 2005)Light car sales up 14,346 (22.7 per cent)Small cars sales up, 4,317 (3 per cent)People mover sales up 46 (0.4 per cent)Large car sales down 26,461 (22.7 per cent)Medium car sales down 2,100 (3.6 per cent)Sports car sales down 1,216(10.2 per cent)Upper Large car sales down 212 (4.7 per cent)Sports Utility Vehicle Market: 114,267 (down 9,144 or 7.4 per cent compared to 2005)SUV Luxury sales up 1,073 (10.1 per cent)SUV Medium sales down, 6,731 (14.2 per cent)SUV Large sales down 3,102 (22.9 per cent)SUV Compact sales down 384 (0.7 per cent).Light Truck Market: 111,699 (down 2,328 (2 per cent)Pick-up/Cab Chassis 4X4 sales up 3,210 (7.6 per cent)Light bus sales up 584 (46.6 per cent)Pick-up/Cab Chassis 4X2 sales down 5,143 (9.5 per cent)Van sales down 939 (6.3 per cent)2.5 Tonne truck sales down 40 (3.5 per cent)Heavy Truck Market: 20,141 (up 239 or 1.2 per cent compared to 2005)

It's just the ticket ... or not ... after all, that's the whole point.So much oomph in Renault's Clio Sport 182 Cup but so few places to use it. Legally, anyway.There's a whole lot of engine (two-litre, 16-valve) packed into a tiny terrier and it's soooo easy to speed. But set the cruise control to the right mode and all your worries are gone.The car just won't go over what ever speed you punch in – except in the case of an emergency.(Can they adapt this gizmo to children?)The features don't stop there, though ... a "five-speed gear box, ventilated discs up front with ABS, electronic brake distribution and traction control with ESP" (everyone needs a bit of that) top the list.Translation: Road grip is great, corners are not scary or hairy and if you're travelling up Willunga Hill in fifth gear, you'll still be accelerating.Now here's one to really grab you (pardon the pun) ... an anti-hijacking precaution. The doors lock automatically when you accelerate away from the kerb.The Clio Sport may be small but it's big on image and impact. Start with the lowered suspension, twin exhausts, leather seats, drilled alloy pedals and unique "charcoal" finish alloy wheels. Some think they look dirty. I say "gritty" and they add to that "bad boy" image ... even if it's just a little bad boy.The Clio is perfect for young yuppies with no puppies. Two-door cars, like this one, are not child (or friend) friendly and the lack of windows in the back gives the young guys a perfect opportunity to complain.Things are pretty squeezy in the back seat and the stiffer sports suspension makes for a harder ride; 14-year-olds don't like bumping their heads on the roof. But with just two people, you're in hot-hatch heaven.All the effort seems to have been put into the front compartment. It looks great for starters – all black and chrome with leather, and Alcantara trim, a groovy dash and idiot-proof stereo and climate controls.And these are seats you sit in, not on. And the all-important question? Drink holders?Those in the front are a bit awkward, tucked in below the centre dash, but the rear side-panel mounted holders, big enough for bottles of water, make up for them.LOVE IT LEAVE ITRenault Clio Sport 182 Cup LOVE ITGreat size. Easy to park. Wheel-mounted radio controls save searching for small dash buttons. The oh-so-cool wipers with an action mimicking a dance step Michael Jackson would envy.LEAVE ITIndicator and wiper controls are hard to see. No windows in the back.