New car sales were virtually flat last month, amid uncertainty around the federal election and the former government’s moves to tighten fringe benefits tax (FBT) provisions.

New car sales in August rose 0.8 per cent, or by 94,396, compared to July, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday.

CommSec chief economist Craig James said the figure showed that new car sales remained resilient despite uncertainty around the election and changes to FBT provisions, which the Coalition says it will scrap.

“It’s important not to read too much into the latest car sales data,” Mr James said.

“The results were affected by a threat to change FBT provisions and the impending election.

“But, despite all that, car sales were still resilient.”

With the election out of the way, car sales were expected to lift in coming months, Mr James said.

“Car affordability remains strong, supported by low vehicle prices and low interest rates,” he said.