With sales of 14,786 vehicles Holden had its best July result for 27 years, maintaining a strong hold on year-to-date market leadership.

Highlights of Holden's July performance include:

• Booming Astra sales exceeded the 2,000 mark for the first month ever (2,384 units), capturing a 14.2 per cent share of the small car segment in July.

• Statesman and Caprice continued to almost double sales of their Ford opposition. Statesman achieved its best July sales for the decade.

• Commodore's July sales of 7,596 vehicles adds to the marque's ongoing success with a 26.9 per cent sales advantage over Falcon for the year to date.

• Jackaroo and Frontera four wheel drives claimed their highest monthly sales for the year 2000, with Jackaroo achieving its best July sales for the past two decades.

"The July result for Holden is particularly pleasing given the success across such diverse segments of the market," Holden Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Ross Mckenzie said.

"Astra is really making a big impact with over 2,000 sales for the month and we continue to have tremendous success with Statesman and Caprice.

"Commodore's incredible market success continues with the Commodore range once again clearly outselling its rivals," he concluded.