New vehicle sales report – May 2010

A new sales record for the month of May was set this year. New vehicle sales totalled 89,218, and improvement of 578 sales from the previous May record set in 2008.

“This is a record May result and shows the new vehicle market is maintaining a strong sales momentum,” said FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar, “All vehicle segments increased during the month, demonstrating a genuine recovery in the marketplace.”

Once again the SUV segment was the leading category, followed by passenger cars and light commercials. There has also been an increase in private buyers taking delivery of new cars in the last month.

As usual Toyota sits atop the sales charts, followed by Holden and Ford. So far in 2010 a total of 422,446 new vehicles have been sold. A boost of almost 20% on 2009 figures.

New Car Market Maintains Strong Sales Momentum

The new car market posted a record May sales result with all vehicle segments performing strongly.

Official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showed that 89,218 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in May, up 18.3 per cent (or 13,777 vehicles) on the same month in 2009.

“This is a record May result and shows the new vehicle market is maintaining a strong sales momentum,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

Today’s result eclipses the previous monthly record set in 2008 by 578 units.

“All vehicle segments increased during the month, demonstrating a genuine recovery in the marketplace,” he said.

The SUV segment again led the charge in May with an increase of 28.9 per cent; followed by passenger cars (up 19.4 per cent), light commercials (up 6.4 per cent) and then heavy commercials with a 3.7 per cent increase.

“It is encouraging to note that private buyers have returned in larger numbers during May (up 27.2%) taking over some of the momentum that business buyers have provided over the past year,” Mr McKellar said.

Toyota retained the top selling position in May with a market share of 20 per cent; followed by Holden with 12.8 per cent and then Ford with 10.1 per cent.

Year-to-date, 422,446 vehicles have been sold, an increase of 19.9 percent compared to the first five months of 2009.

BMW Records Strongest Growth In Premium Segment

High demand for xDrive vehicles has helped BMW achieve the strongest growth in the premium segment in May, according to FCAI new vehicle registration figures released this week.

Sales of new BMW vehicles in Australia were up 28 percent on the previous month, and up 17 percent year-to-date.

BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Stavros Yallouridis said BMW expected an even stronger finish for the quarter with several new models reaching showrooms this month.

“June sees first customer deliveries of the new BMW 5 Series which, if overseas sales figures are anything to go by, will be an enormous success here in Australia,” said Mr Yallouridis.

“We also expect a lift in sales of the BMW X5 with a new model arriving in Australian dealerships now,” he said.

The BMW X5 leads its segment in 2010 and has been the top-selling luxury Sports Activity Vehicle in Australia for the past seven years.

BMW led the premium segment in total SUV sales in May, up by 57 percent on the previous month.

“May was the first full retail month for our popular new compact Sports Activity Vehicle, the BMW X1, and with more engine variants soon to arrive, we expect strong volume growth for this model over the course of the year,” said Mr Yallouridis.

“Sales of our core models have also remained strong with BMW 3 Series Sedan and Touring sales up by more than 45 percent this month,” he said.

Mr Yallouridis said BMW remained on track for a record-breaking year.

“Our volumes have held firm through the tougher months and as we now bring a number of new products to market we expect a very strong finish to 2010,” said Mr Yallouridis.

BMW recently replaced Toyota as ‘the world’s most valuable automotive brand’ with an estimated worth of US$21.82 billion, according to Millward Brown’s BrandZ Top 100 survey.

Hyundai Getz On With The Job

Hyundai’s Getz light car continues to retain a strong fan base, ranking first in the light car segment with a sales result of 1,957 units and achieving a monthly market share of 17.6%. 9,629 Getz have been sold May YTD 2010.

Hyundai also posted its best ever May result since the since the brand started selling cars in Australia in 1986, posting a sales result of 6,378 units.

In a total market that has increased +18.3% (May 2010 v. May 2009), Hyundai Motor Company Australia has achieved an overall increase in sales of +23.2% (representing 17 consecutive months of month-on-month sales growth).

“The team at Hyundai and the Hyundai Dealer network are especially pleased with the continuing interest in the Getz line-up,” said Damien Meredith, Hyundai’s Director of Sales. “Customers are now receiving their new i45 sedans and the team is preparing for the launch of the exciting new i20 compact hatch which will be a highly competitive entrant to the light car segment when it goes on sale in July.”

Overseas, Hyundai Motor Company’s global sales increased +19% (May 2010 v. May 2009) to 298,036 units. Hyundai Motor America posted its best ever May result as consumers continue to respond positively to the company’s all-new i45 and ix35 models. In May, the company sold 49,045 vehicles in the U.S., up +33% (May 2010 v. May 2009). Based on retail-only sales data, the new i45 sedan – known as Sonata in North America – emerged as America’s third best-selling mid-size sedan for the third month in a row.

Hyundai’s Australian highlights include:

• Hyundai’s result in May of 6,378 units (7.1% share) represents a +23.2% volume increase over its achievement of 5,178 units (6.9% share) in May 2009.
• Getz ranked first in the light car segment achieving 1,957 vehicle sales and a 17.6% market share.
• In the SUV medium segment, Santa Fe posted its best ever sales result of 539 units, since the model first came to Australia in 2000.
• iLoad ranked second in the van segment after posting a sales result of 437 units and a 21.3% market share.

Mazda’s Marvellous May

Mazda Australia had a marvellous month in May, selling a record 6,928 new passenger and light commercial vehicles.

According to May VFACTS figures, Mazda has sold 34,847 new vehicles so far this year and sales are up 15.4 percent year-to-date, Mazda has an 8.2 percent share of Australia’s new car market.

Kicking off the top performances last month was Mazda2. The launch of a safer and more stylish new Mazda2, combined with the run-out of its popular predecessor, saw Mazda’s light car sales increase 24.9 percent over the same month last year.

There’s little wonder the stylish, sporty and compact Mazda3 was this country’s best-selling small car last month after recently benefiting from a number of spec upgrades and price reductions across the range. Mazda sold 2,901 Mazda3s in May and year-to-date sales are up 11.8 percent.

Meanwhile the stylish and practical Mazda6 was Australia’s top-selling medium import, with sales up 24.4 percent on the same month last year. The company sold 906 new Mazda6s last month, an impressive 500 cars ahead of its closest import rival.

Sales of the eye-catching Mazda CX-7 five-seat SUV remain strong, with 714 finding new homes last month. Available in a choice of three economical powertrains and four grades, the Mazda CX-7 boasts a long list of standard features including climate control, alloy wheels and a handy reversing camera. Sales of CX-7 are up 192.9 percent year-to-date.

Its larger sibling, the seven-seat CX-9, clocked up 338 sales, contributing to an increase of 26.3 percent year-to-date.

With 875 sales in May, Mazda’s hard-working BT-50 had a ripper month. Available in 4×2 and 4×4, with three practical body styles and a choice of two turbodiesel powertrains, BT-50 sales were up 28 percent over May 2009.

Mazda Australia’s managing director, Doug Dickson said: “May was another strong month for Mazda. It’s particularly satisfying to see that Australian car buyers have warmed to our most recent product upgrades, the new Mazda2 and Mazda6.

“With the rest of our dynamic product range continuing to perform well, we look forward to continuing this momentum into the latter half of the year.

“And having just launched an all-new Mazda website, we’re confident in being able to deliver an even better buying experience, by offering prospective customers an interactive and media rich platform on which they can engage with the Mazda brand and its products.”

Record May Sales For Subaru

Subaru’s All-Wheel Drive range maintained major traction last month, achieving record May sales of 3610 vehicles, according to official VFACTS figures released today.

The figure is 21.8 per cent up on May last year and represents a 4.0 per cent market share for the month and year-to-date (YTD).

Impreza had its best ever month, with 1597 sales, up 58.4 per cent on the same month last year.

Outback sales of 481 were up 94.7 per cent for the month and 104.0 per cent YTD.

Liberty sold 415, up 59.6 per cent for the month and 54.8 per cent YTD.

Forester sales of 1005 and Tribeca, 112, also contributed to the strong result.

Subaru’s impressive sales momentum is likely to continue, following this week’s launch of Forester diesel variants, the pending arrival of the recreation and fun-themed Impreza XV and, later in the year, the latest versions of Impreza WRX and WRX STI.

Kizashi Puts Suzuki On Track For Record Year

A highly successful launch of the stunning new Kizashi has Suzuki on track to notch another record sales year.

In only its first few days on sale, a total of 244 Kizashis were sold during May, helping Suzuki to its second best May result on record.

“The Kizashi launch has been an unprecedented success for the company,” said Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers.

“Inquiry via our website and at dealerships has set new records for Suzuki Australia and there is strong demand for the new car.”

Devers also announced the Kizashi had just been rated as one of the country’s greenest mid-sized cars by the Federal Government’s Green Vehicle Guide (GVG).

“The GVG has rated the Kizashi at four and a half stars out of a maximum five, ensuring Suzuki’s first ever mid-sized car is one of the cleanest and most fuel efficient cars in the segment.

“It means Kizashi is easier on the planet than key mid-size competitors including the Honda Accord Euro and Mazda6 and many small cars such as the Toyota Corolla and Holden Cruze.

“In fact, the Kizashi has a higher rating than many light cars, including the Holden Barina and Mazda 2.

“With recognition like that from the government, glowing media reviews and high levels of customer inquiry, we’re confident the Kizashi will continue to drive Suzuki sales throughout the year.”

Suzuki sold a total of 2260 vehicles in May – up 16 per cent on the 2009 figure.

“The year to date figure is even better, with a total of 9985 cars sold to the end of May, up 25.5 per cent on 2009 and confirming Suzuki as one of the fastest growing companies in the country.”

Devers said the year to date figure was ahead of Suzuki’s best ever sales year in 2008, when the company had sold 9721 cars to the end of May.

The increase in sales has lifted Suzuki’s market share in May to 2.5 per cent nationally.

“That puts us on track to meet our target of 25,000 vehicles and 2.6 per cent market share,” said Devers.

The award-winning Swift led the charge with 1115 sales, while 245 Altos were sold.

Devers explained demand for the Alto worldwide had initially placed restraints on availability for Australian customers, while works on an upgrade of the Mumbai Port in India had added another constraint.

“Demand for Alto continues to be strong and we are assured of stocks of GLX arriving in June and July which will help lift sales of our fuel economy champion,” Devers said.

ONE MILLION SALES ON THE CARDS: TOYOTA

Sales of new cars and trucks in Australia are set to exceed one million for the financial year to June 30, according to market leader Toyota.

The company’s senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner made the prediction when commenting on the latest sales figures released today.

Mr Buttner said official VFacts data showed the May market of almost 90,000 new vehicles had lifted the total for the 11 months of the financial year to 904,551.

He said sales of 95,449 in June would enable the industry to return to one million sales in the financial year.

“Toyota expects prevailing economic conditions, the halt on interest-rate increases and the end-of-financial-year deals to lift the 12-month total over one million,” Mr Buttner said.

“A further reason for confidence is that June totals in each of the past three years have exceeded 100,000 sales – even in the face of economic turmoil – and have been above 96,000 every year since 2004.

“Regarding the full calendar year, the industry is also on track for one million sales; however, the potential impact of economic conditions, movements in interest rates and the impending Federal and Victorian elections remains unclear.”

So far in 2010, Toyota dealers have sold 86,213 vehicles – more than 31,000 ahead of its nearest rival.

The latest figures show Toyota was market leader in May with 17,832 sales, accounting for one out of every five vehicles sold in Australia.

The company’s May total was more than 56 per cent higher than any other car company – a margin in excess of 6,400 deliveries.

Eight Toyota vehicles were the best-sellers in their segments last month – Camry, RAV4, Prado, LandCruiser 200 Series, HiLux 4×2, HiLux 4×4, HiAce van and HiAce bus.

Combined HiLux sales of 3,665 made it the national number two seller while Prado (1575) was the best-selling SUV.