Sydney, Dec 5 (IANS) New vehicle sales in Australia were up 1.5 percent in November, compared to the same month last year, figures released Monday by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showed.

The FCAI said 88,654 cars, trucks and buses were sold in November, pointing to a strong end to the year, reported Xinhua.

FCAI chief executive Ian Chalmers said it was the second highest November on record but total sales for the year-to-date were down 2.4 percent over the same period in 2010.

‘For the past four months in a row sales have been trending above the same period for 2010,’ Chalmers said.

‘This suggests improving consumer confidence in Australia’s economic prospects.’

Chalmers said consumers were responding positively to many lower priced cars with better equipment and low finance rates.

The best-selling brand in November was Toyota with 17,436 followed by locally manufactured Holden with 9,761.

Chalmers also said there was a surge in sports utility vehicle (SUV) sales.