SUVs have overtaken passenger cars for the first time according to sales figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

The sales numbers for February 2017 reveal a dramatic 12.2 percent drop in sales of sedans, hatches and wagons, contributing to an overall 7.7 percent slide in a new-car market that’s bounced from record to record in recent years.

Even sales of SUVs dropped when compared with the record February 2016 result, but there was enough interest in the growing range to keep sales ahead of the more traditional passenger cars.

Despite the boom in sales of small SUVs – most recently buoyed by the arrival of Toyota’s new C-HR – it was mid-sized and upper large SUVs that contributed most to the anticipated switch from passenger cars being the dominant new-car force to SUVs.

FCAI chief executive Tony Weber hinted the strong February result for SUVs may not be continued in coming months, but it was representative of a shift in consumer sentiment.

“Of course, this one monthly outcome doesn’t signal a landslide but clearly Australian buyers are attracted by the features and capabilities of new generation SUVs, and how these types of vehicles suit their needs and lifestyles,” he said.

Leading the SUV charge was Toyota with 5191 sales across eight models. Second placed Mazda managed 4138 from four models, indicative of the strength across its relatively compact lineup.

In its final few months on sale before the arrival of an all-new model, Mazda’s CX-5 was the again the top selling SUV with 1933 sales, ahead of the Toyota RAV4 (1726) and Hyundai Tucson (1596).

Toyota was by far the best selling brand, with 16,308 sales, enough to push its market share to 18.3 percent.

Mazda was second with 9923 sales and Hyundai a distant third with 7001.

Once again Holden performed poorly, dropping to fifth place and with a lowly 6.4 percent market share off the back of a soft month for the soon-to-die locally-produced Commodore, down 33 percent.

So, in fourth place – by just 34 cars – was the surprise inclusion of Mitsubishi, which despite plunging passenger car sales benefited from strong SUV results (SUVs now make up more than half of Mitsubishi’s sales, with the Triton ute accounting for another 35 percent).

Despite the softness in passenger car sales it was a handful of small cars that again contributed strongly to the top of the overall sales charts.

Toyota’s Corolla stood on top of the podium with 3392 sales ahead of the top seller for 2016, Toyota’s Hilux ute (3386) in second.

Mazda 3 was third (3143) ahead of another ute, the Ford Ranger (2931) in fourth.

Hyundai’s soon to be replaced i30 fell 19 percent to 2003 sales.

TOP 10 BRANDS, FEBRUARY 2017 BRAND SALES Toyota 16,308 Mazda 9923 Hyundai 7001 Mitsubishi 5758 Holden 5724 Ford 5669 Volkswagen 4618 Nissan 4425 Kia 4174 Subaru 3746

TOP 10 VEHICLES, FEBRUARY 2017 Toyota Corolla 3392 Toyota Hilux 3386 Mazda3 3143 Ford Ranger 2931 Hyundai i30 2003 Mitsubishi Triton 1990 Mazda CX-5 1933 Toyota RAV4 1726 Hyundai Tucson 1596 Holden Commodore 1566

TOP 10 SUVs, FEBRUARY 2017 Mazda CX-5 1933 Toyota RAV4 1726 Hyundai Tucson 1596 Nissan X-Trail 1500 Mazda CX-3 1468 Toyota Prado 1320 Kia Sportage 1127 Mitsubishi ASX 1061 Honda HR-V 982 Volkswagen Tiguan 945 Source: VFACTS, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries