New vehicle sales report – June 2010

The end of financial year saw some big numbers in terms of new vehicle sales in Australia. In fact, the final sales tally of 108,722 vehicles is the highest selling month on record. It betters the previous monthly high by over 2000 sales, set back in June 2008.

“The record June result is a clear demonstration of renewed confidence in the marketplace,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

“It is encouraging to see that private buyers have returned to the market in greater numbers and have taken over the momentum previously attributed to business sales.”Year-to-date sales now sit at 531,168 and the FCAI has upped is 2010 prediction by 40,000 vehicles. It now expects 980,000 sales to be registered in 2010.

Toyota, Holden and Ford continue as the three highest selling marques. But that hasn’t stopped many other brands from bragging about their sales results.

June Car Sales Achieve All-Time Record High

The new vehicle market posted a new record monthly result in June to round off a strong mid-year sales result.

Official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showed that 108,722 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in June, up 5.7 per cent (or 5,875 vehicles) on the same month in 2009.

“The record June result is a clear demonstration of renewed confidence in the marketplace,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

Today’s result eclipses the previous June monthly record set in 2008 by 2181 units to become the highest selling month in history.

“It is encouraging to see that private buyers have returned to the market in greater numbers and have taken over the momentum previously attributed to business sales,” Mr McKellar said.

Year-to-date, 531,168 vehicles have been sold, an increase of 16.7 percent compared to the first six months of 2009.

“Given the stronger than expected state of the market over the past six months, the industry has upgraded its annual sales forecast to in excess of 980,000 units – up from our original forecast of 940,000 sales,” Mr McKellar said.

“This is a positive yet cautious outlook for the second half of the year, as we assess the impact of factors on the market such as previous interest rate increases,” Mr McKellar said.

The SUV segment was the strongest performer during the first six months of 2010 with an increase of 30.8 per cent; followed by passenger cars (up 15.8 per cent), heavy commercials (up 8.8 per cent) and then light commercials with a 5.8 per cent increase.

Year-to-date, Toyota has the top selling position with a market share of 20.2 per cent; followed by Holden with 12.9 per cent and then Ford with 9.3 per cent.

Audi Ends First Half Year With All-Time Record Result

• Audi Australia has ended June 2010 with an historic vehicle sales result of 1,342 units
• Total sales for the first half of 2010 is 7,227 units
• More vehicles sold in the first 6 months of 2010 than in the full year of 2007

Audi Australia has finished the first half of 2010 with a record sales result of 7,227 units following a very successful June. In doing so, the company has actually outsold its full year 2007 result (7,225 units) in just six months.

The result puts the brand’s cumulative total during the six months to end-June 2010 at a healthy 28.8 percent above the previous year, an increase of 1,615 units.

The month of June saw Audi Australia deliver 1,342 vehicles to customers – an historic result for the brand in Australia. The previously record was achieved in January 2010 with sales of 1,330 units. The result is a steady 20 percent above June 2009, or 224 units higher for the month.

Holden Cruze hits 25,000 Sales Mark

• Cruze notches up 25,000 sales, including highest monthly sales figure to date
• Commodore Australia’s top-selling car, with highest sales for 12 months
• Best ever Holden SUV month, including highest Captiva monthly sales

Holden Cruze has made its mark as one of Australia’s most popular small cars, achieving its best-ever monthly sales result and in the process, notching up more than 25,000 sales since it entered the market a year ago.

Sales, Marketing and Aftersales Executive Director John Elsworth said Cruze was a fantastic success story for Holden, with figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries showing a record 2987 vehicles were sold in June.

“When we launched Cruze in June 2009, customers immediately responded to this world-class small car, which combines style, performance, safety and value for money,” Mr Elsworth said.

“Cruze shot straight into the top 10 of Australia’s best-selling passenger vehicles in its first full month of sales and that strong demand has continued, and it has been embraced across a range of age groups and buyer types.”

He said the Cruze provided the perfect complement to Holden’s Commodore which continued its reign as Australia’s most popular car, selling 4697 vehicles in June.

“We’re finding that Commodore and Cruze are working really well in tandem, offering buyers at both ends of the market two really compelling vehicles that make Holden the smart choice for Australian motorists.”

June also saw Holden achieve its best-ever monthly Captiva sales, with the vehicle number one in the medium SUV segment. Results for both Barina and Epica were also strong, with Barina achieving its best June sales since 2006 and Epica its best ever June sales.

Mr Elsworth also said there was significant work being undertaken at Holden to prepare for the arrival of new products in the coming months.

“It’s an exciting time at Holden – we’re gearing up to introduce vehicles such as the VE Series II Commodore later this year, and from next year, we will begin manufacturing the Cruze locally, making it the only small car made in Australia.

“The market’s positive response to Cruze augurs extremely well for the success of a locally produced version in 2011,” he said.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia Posts Record Sales

Hyundai’s multi-award winning range continues to break records in Australia. The Hyundai iMax achieved its best ever monthly market share capturing 24.1% of the people mover market. Hyundai was also the number one importer in June, ranking fourth overall for the month; and third in passenger car sales in June.

Hyundai also posted its best ever monthly result since the factory established the wholly owned subsidiary Hyundai Motor Company Australia. The sales result of 8,055 units was also Hyundai’s second best ever sales result since the brand started selling cars in Australia in 1986; whilst the 42,371 June YTD 2010 cumulative sales result represents the best ever first six months of the year sales result.

“Last month was terrific month for both sales and awards, with a number of Hyundai vehicles being recognised in the 2010 Vehicle Operating Costs Surveys conducted by the NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC and RACT motoring clubs,” said Damien Meredith, Hyundai’s Director of Sales. “It’s terrific that our newer models like the i30 and the ix35 compact SUV are gaining such important recognition by these leading organisations. Our new model roll-out continues in July with the launch of the new i20 compact hatch, which will be a highly competitive entrant to the light car segment.”

Overseas, Hyundai Motor Company’s global sales increased +11.3% (June 2010 v. June 2009) to 312,388 units. Hyundai Motor America posted its best ever June result and entire first half of the year. In June, the company sold 51,205 vehicles in the U.S., up +35% (June 2010 v. June 2009). Year to date, Hyundai Motor America sales are up +25% compared with 2009 and are on target to eclipse 500,000 units of annual volume for the first time ever. 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 June of 8,055 units (7.4% share) represents a +2.5% volume increase over its achievement of 7,862 units (7.6% share) in June 2009.
• Getz ranked first in the light car segment achieving 2,327 vehicle sales and a 16.9% market share.
• The i30 range ranked third in the small car segment achieving 3,209 vehicle sales and a 12.5% market share.
• The all-new ix35 compact SUV achieved 783 units.
• iMax ranked first in the people mover segment, after posting a sales result of 290 units and market share of 24.1%, its best ever market share.
• iLoad ranked second in the van segment after posting a sales result of 561 units and a 22.4% market share.

Mazda Achieves Best Ever First Half Year

Mazda Australia has recorded its best ever first half retail performance with 42,871 new passenger and commercial vehicles sold, exceeding its previous best January to June record set in 2008.

Capping off its record breaking first half in style, last month Mazda also achieved its second best sales month ever, surpassing an impressive 8000 retails for just the second time.

According to June VFACTS figures, year-to-date, the Hiroshima-based company remains the country’s top-selling vehicle importer and is fourth overall on the sales table, with an 8.1 percent share of the Australian new car market.

Mazda2 hatch and sedan continued to turn heads last month thanks to an expressive new look and improved safety features including standard Dynamic Stability Control. Compared to the same month last year, sales of the stylish Mazda2 light car were up 11.6 percent to 1,342 sales.

Mazda sold 3,680 new Mazda3s in June marking its second best sales month ever. Year-to-date Mazda3 sales are up 9.0 percent and year-to-date the stylish and compact sedan and hatch remains the country’s best-selling small car.

The company’s popular crossover five and seven-seat SUVs, CX-7 and CX-9, continued to hit the sweet spot with Australian families last month selling 889 and 388 respectively. CX-7 sits in third spot in the Compact SUV segment and year-to-date CX-7 sales are up 160 percent. Overall, Mazda’s SUV sales are up a massive 80 percent year-to-date.

Mazda Australia managing director, Doug Dickson, says this outstanding June result is largely attributed to the company’s dedicated network of dealers.

“For this magnificent result we are again indebted to our Dealer group – without the passion, energy and commitment they show for the Mazda brand and its product we would not be in such a fortunate position.

“Of course we are nothing without fantastic product to sell. And in an effort not to become complacent in this area, we will continue to focus on ways to improve and bring fresh appeal to our product line-up.

“Given the incredible start we’ve had to the year and with private buyers slowly coming back to the market we’re confident that this year Mazda Australia can achieve its best ever calendar year.”

Mercedes-Benz Breaks A 52 Year Record

Melbourne – June 2010 was a record month of vehicle sales in Australia with almost every segment being up. Mercedes-Benz posted its best ever retail result in the fifty two year history of the marque in Australia with 1976 passenger/SUV sales.

The Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mr Horst von Sanden said “The whole team at Mercedes-Benz Cars is very excited that our First Choice strategy focusing on customer value has delivered such an outstanding result. From B-Class through C-Class, E-Class and S-Class we have consolidated our position as the leading prestige brand with our customers and also in the market year to date. This is our fourth month of clear sales leadership in the luxury/prestige segment and with exciting product coming we are confident we will achieve our best ever year in Australia in 2010.

There have been a number of standout models for us in June that have performed strongly or led their product segments; again this is due to our integrated strategy. The B-Class has established itself in a very strong third position in its segment by offering a unique sports tourer solution.

The Wheels Car of the Year winning C-Class sedan is the clear choice with one in three buyers. We have delivered more than 300 C 63 AMG models since the start of the year which puts us well on target for the C 63 AMG to be the most successful AMG model ever in Australia. The C-Class Estate is also attracting a record number of buyers in this niche segment.

Our all new E-Class Sedan, Coupe and Cabriolet with their combination of four, six and eight cylinder diesel and petrol engines and class leading safety and value all have commanding segment leadership.

Our range topping S-Class retains its segment leadership despite aggressive challenges from established and newcomers to the segment.

The hotly contested SUV Luxury segment has seen the GL-Class and ML-Class cement their growth with the ML again leading the segment in May. The GL despite a continuing stock shortage is maintaining its sales rate year to date.”

MINI Records Strongest-ever First Half Year Sales

MINI Australia today announced that 2010 had seen the strongest ever year-to-date sales performance for the brand, having sold 1,233 vehicles in the first six months of 2010.

MINI sales are up more than 34 percent on 2009. The previous record was 1,099 units sold over the same period in 2005.

MINI Australia National Manager, David Woollcott, said the steady growth of MINI in Australia was testimony to the strength of the brand, the product and the retail network in this country.

“MINI is a lifestyle choice and offers a customer experience that is quite unique in the marketplace combining style, personalisation and a thrilling drive experience,” said Mr Woollcott.

“MINI also boasts some of the strongest residual values of any car on the market which makes it a proposition that appeals to both the heart and the head,” he said.

Since the international launch of the ‘new’ MINI Hatch in 2001, the range has been extended to now include the MINI Convertible and the longer-wheel-base MINI Clubman with all three body shapes offered in high-performance MINI John Cooper Works form.

“A mid-life update of the full range reaches showrooms later this year which will ensure MINI’s continued success in the years to come,” said Mr Woollcott.

Later this year, the MINI line-up will further diversify with the launch of the ground-breaking new MINI Countryman, a four-door crossover vehicle which introduces four-wheel drive to the MINI brand for the first time.

Mr Woollcott said MINI sales would continue to grow with the introduction of new models bringing new customers to the brand.

“With the launch of the MINI Countryman, and a number of radical new vehicle concepts on the near-term horizon, MINI is expanding into new segments while retaining the edgy styling and go-kart drive for which the brand is renowned,” said Mr Woollcott.

Solid Sales Results For Mitsubishi In June

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) today announced sales results for the month of June when the company achieved all time record levels for Lancer, Outlander, Pajero and Challenger as well as for total imports.

The Lancer range recorded a total of 2,539 units in June and 12,659 units for the first half calendar year, representing a 46 percent increase from 2009.

The Outlander continued on an upward trend exceeding 2009 sales by 33 percent with a record total of 4624 units sold for the first half calendar year.

Pajero and Challenger together achieved the best June Medium SUV result for MMAL since 1993 and best Medium first half result since 2002 with 1,129 units sold in June and 4,867 units sold for the first half calendar year. Challenger alone achieved remarkable results with best Challenger result on record at 324 units and best first half on record at 1,195 units.

Triton 4×2 and 4×4 year to date sales remain strong with a total of 8,732 units sold between them.

MMAL’s VP of Sales, Anthony Casey, said he was very pleased with the positive sales results for June 2010.

“The June results continue the trend of an improving market environment, up 22 percent from May 2010. MMAL is ahead of the market reaching all time financial year record levels for Lancer, Outlander, Pajero and Challenger as well as for total imports”.

“Nationally, we saw some fantastic results from our dealer body and I would like to thank all our dealer network and our regional staff for their efforts in helping us to achieve this result” said Casey.

Subaru Diesel Sales Strong

Strong diesel sales have propelled Subaru to an excellent June performance according to official VFACTS figures released today.

Subaru sold 4066 vehicles in June, including 465 Forester and Outback diesel models.

Subaru Managing Director, Nick Senior said, “This means that more than 10 per cent of our sales in June were diesel variants, which is a very pleasing result.”

Subaru also achieved an all-time sales record for Forester which also retained its top spot in the SUV Compact segment with 1690, up 12.2 per cent on June last year. Of this, 13.7 per cent were diesel variants.

Outback sales of 658 were up a massive 115.3 per cent year-to-date (YTD). 27.8 per cent of these were Outback 2.0Ds.

New generation Liberty continued its strong performance with 551 sales up 54.4 per cent YTD.

Tribeca sales of 122 were also up 52.5 per cent on the same period last year.

Rounding out the total was Impreza with 1045 units, giving Subaru a market share of 3.7 per cent for the month.

TOYOTA: AUSTRALIA’S MOST TRUSTED AUTOMOTIVE BRAND

Toyota’s reputation for the quality, durability and reliability of its vehicles and customer care has made it Australia’s most trusted automotive brand.

The result in the 2010 Australian Reader’s Digest Trust Survey is significant in a marketplace crowded with more than 50 brands.

It is the third consecutive year Toyota has taken the top spot.

Toyota Australia’s senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner said the company’s customer service policy was the key to its success.

Mr Buttner said demonstrable commitment to customer satisfaction was more important for long-term success than either vehicle desirability or price.

“Customers can be influenced by a vehicle they like or a price too good to be true – but they will stay with a company they can trust,” Mr Buttner said.

“Long-term running costs and retained values are paramount when private buyers are outlaying significant funds to buy a new car,” he said.

“They are equally influenced by how they are treated during the entire time they own their vehicle.”

Toyota has established a capped-price service policy called Toyota Service Advantage*, which gives customers the ability to budget for comparatively economical vehicle maintenance.

“Customer satisfaction is not something you can effectively advertise – your reputation is spread word of mouth by your clients.

“There are more than two million Toyotas on Australia’s roads – more than any other brand – and at least half of the owners of those vehicles are still in touch with us.

“Our reputation has been made not by us, but by our customers.”

Toyota’s point of difference in customer service began more than half a century ago.

The company was the first to establish decentralised service divisions in outback Australia to care for customers’ vehicles, while its competitors remained in city locations.

“Our policy of taking service to our customers set us aside from other brands – and that reputation remains with us today,” Mr Buttner said.

Toyota has claimed first place in Australian sales for seven consecutive years, and it is market leader by a significant margin in the first half of 2010.

For each of the past six years, Toyota has delivered more than 200,000 new vehicles in Australia and is on track to repeat its feat this year.

* For details, terms and conditions, visit advantage.toyota.com.au