Some of that business came as a bonus for car buyers when Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese announcing that electronic stability control (ESC) devices will be mandatory on all new vehicles sold here from November 2011.

The news was welcomed by Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) president and Holden managing director Mark Reuss, who praised the government's decision to tackle the road safety issue at a federal level rather than on a state-by-state basis.

"Mainstreaming ESC technology in passenger cars and SUVs will save lives, it is as simple as that,'' Mr Reuss said.

"ESC greatly improves vehicle safety performance and is probably the most significant advance in vehicle safety since seatbelts were made compulsory (in Australia) in the early 1970s.

"ESC is all about avoiding crashes. Fitting ESC as standard (equipment) is absolutely the right thing to do for all motorists.''

Currently some 65percent of new passenger cars and SUVs sold here are fitted with the life-saving technology and that figure is predicted to rise to 70percent by the end of the year.

FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar said the car industry had worked co-operatively with the Federal Government to make sure the technology becomes available on all new cars as soon as possible.

Electronic stability control uses sensors mounted around a vehicle to compare the differences between its actual course and the steering wheel input. If the computer senses that a loss of control is imminent it applies the brakes on individual wheels to bring the car back on course and prevent it sliding.