Toyota Corolla has taken an early lead as Australia's best-selling vehicle in 2008, according to official sales figures released today.

Corolla sales last month were a January record of 3,843 - or 10.3 per cent better than the previous January record set a year ago.

It was the second month in a row Corolla has led the sales charts following another market-leading performance in December.

During these two months, Corolla attracted 1091 more customers than its nearest rival - 633 in January and 458 in December.

Corolla has achieved top-seller status in seven months - once in 2005 (September), twice in 2006 (June and July), three times in 2007 (January, June and December) as well as in January 2008.

The popularity of Corolla sedan and hatch lifted the Toyota brand to a record January total of 17,852 sales - 9.9 per cent higher than January 2007 and 24.1 per cent better than January 2006.

Official VFACTS figures show Toyota's January total was 7,599 ahead of its nearest rival and more than 10,000 in front of the third-placed company.

Toyota's HiLux (3,020) and Yaris (2,433) were the country's third and fifth best-selling vehicles for the month.

Toyota Australia's senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner said the most important statistic was the company's market share improving to 21.7 per cent from 21.1 per cent a year earlier.

"We are seeing the result of concerted efforts by Toyota and our dealer network to improve vehicles, service and the overall customer experience," Mr Buttner said.

"Having three of Australia's five most popular vehicles demonstrates the strength of the Toyota range," he said.

"The January result gives us a great platform for the rest of 2008."