Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car in Australia for the first three months of 2008, according to official figures released today.

It is the first time a Toyota vehicle has been the overall market leader for the first quarter of a calendar year.

Australians bought 12,002 Corollas between January 1 and March 31.

This was almost 500 sales ahead of the next best-selling model.

Toyota Australia's senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner said Corolla sales this year were up by almost 900 sales, or 8.0 per cent.

"This is an important milestone for Toyota and for the four-cylinder Corolla hatch and sedan," Mr Buttner said.

"Market conditions have been especially favourable for four-cylinder cars such as Corolla.

"Summer holidays in January and the Easter break in March have probably reduced fleet purchases of larger cars.

"We anticipate sales of those vehicles will accelerate in coming months, supported by the introduction of a Commodore wagon and a revamped Falcon range.

"During the rest of the year, we expect Corolla sales to continue to average at least 4000 a month."

Mr Buttner said four other Toyota vehicles were among the top-10 best sellers in March and for the quarter: HiLux (3rd), Camry (5th), Aurion (7th) and Yaris (8th).

Other segment leaders for Toyota for the latest month and also for the three months were Yaris (light), Camry (medium), RAV4 (compact SUV), Kluger (medium SUV), LandCruiser 200 Series (large SUV), HiLux (4x2 and 4x4 utes) and HiAce (van and light bus).