New vehicle sales report – July 2010

Last month’s high of 108,722 new vehicle sales came crashing back to earth in July. A comparatively low figure of 82,376 sales were registered. However, this result represents an increase of 9.3% on July 2009 data, so it’s not all bad news.

Andrew McKellar, FCAI Chief Executive, explains July usually provides a slow start to the new financial year, “This is a very solid result for July with the start of the new financial year usually resulting in slower sales.

“These figures provide further evidence that sales to private customers continue to increase strongly – recording a 20 per cent rise compared to this time last year,” Mr McKellar said.

If we go back to the results from May we can see sales across all segments were up almost 20% on 2009 figures. Year-to-date numbers have now eased a little, but are still up 15.6% compared to last year, with a total of 613,544 sales so far in 2010.

The SUV segment continues to lead the charge, with light commercials and passengers cars behind. Toyota and Holden retain their positions at the head of the sales chart. While Ford hung on to its third placing by a single sale over Mazda.

More from the FCAI and manufacturers after the break.

Solid New Vehicle Sales Result In July

Strong demand from private buyers and sustained interest in SUVs has resulted in another solid month of new vehicle sales.

Official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showed that 82,376 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in July, up 9.3 per cent (or 7,043 vehicles) on the same month in 2009.

“This is a very solid result for July with the start of the new financial year usually resulting in slower sales,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

“These figures provide further evidence that sales to private customers continue to increase strongly – recording a 20 per cent rise compared to this time last year,” Mr McKellar said.

“There is a proliferation of new models on the market at the moment that buyers are finding attractive, particularly in the SUV range,” he said.

The SUV segment was the strongest performer during July with an increase of 29 per cent; followed by light commercials (up 13.7 per cent) and then passenger cars with a 3.2 per cent increase.

Toyota was the top selling marque in July with 17,250 sales; followed by Holden with 10,648, then Ford with 7,375 units. Mazda, with 7,374 sales, missed out on being in the top three by just one unit.

Year-to-date, 613,544 vehicles have been sold, an increase of 15.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2009.

Holden’s strong July sales in crucial segments

• Commodore Australia’s top-selling car
• Global Cruze on the top of the world
• Captiva second biggest selling medium SUV

Holden continued its steady growth in July with new vehicle sales up 19.4 per cent in 2010 and 3.7 per cent on the same month last year.

Commodore continued its reign as Australia’s most popular car selling 3,783 units in July and total sales of 26,908 for the year.

Commodore was strongly supported by Cruze which has quickly become Holden’s second highest selling carline with 2,179 vehicles purchased in July and 16,582 this year. Cruze also achieved a significant global milestone last month, clocking up more than 270,000 vehicles sales around the world since launching in Europe in early 2009.

Holden Executive Director of Sales and Marketing John Elsworth said Holden was pleased with the steady and sustainable performance of both models.

“The Commodore and the Cruze are critically important vehicles for the Australian automotive industry,” Mr Elsworth said.

“When Cruze joins Commodore on Holden’s vehicle manufacturing line in Elizabeth next year it will become Australia’s only home grown small car and will give Holden the flexibility to locally meet the small and large car demand in the market.”

Following Cruze in third place for Holden this year is Captiva which enjoyed a record 1,212 sales in July and a year-to-date total of 9,584, up an impressive 60.6 per cent on last year. Captiva is the second highest selling medium SUV in Australia with 17.9 per cent of the segment YTD.

Holden Barina is also performing well in 2010, with 1,101 sales in July and 8,048 sales for the year, up nearly 35 per cent in 2010.

Holden Ute which was up nearly 15 per cent for the month also had its best July result since 2006 with 1,055 sales for the month and 6,944 for the year. Combined two and four wheel drive Colorado models have recorded 956 sales in July and 8,450 for the year.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia Posts Record July Sales

Hyundai has posted a sales result of 6,531 units, its best ever July result since the factory established the wholly owned subsidiary Hyundai Motor Company Australia, achieving a monthly market share of 7.9%.

In a total market that has increased +9.3% (July 2010 v. July 2009), Hyundai Motor Company Australia has achieved an overall increase in sales of +4.9% (representing 19 consecutive months of month-on-month sales growth).

“The team at Hyundai and the Hyundai Dealer network are pleased with the continuing growth of the Hyundai brand,” said Damien Meredith, Hyundai’s Director of Sales. “We launched the new i20 compact hatch in July and have already seen the car attracting a number of customers.”

Overseas, Hyundai Motor Company’s global sales increased +11.8% (July 2010 v. July 2009) to 293,460 units. Hyundai Motor America posted its best ever July result. In July, the company sold 54,106 vehicles in the U.S., up +19% (July 2010 v. July 2009). Year to date, Hyundai Motor America sales are up +24% compared with 2009. Based on retail-only sales data, the all-new i45 sedan – known as Sonata in North America – continues to sell at record pace, while ix35 – known as Tucson in North America – saw sales soar more than +200% for the fourth month in a row.

Hyundai’s Australian highlights include:

• Getz ranked second in the light car segment achieving 1,581 vehicle sales and a 14.8% market share.
• The i30 range ranked third in the small car segment achieving 2,333 vehicle sales and a 12.1% market share.
• In the compact SUV segment, ix35 posted its best ever sales result of 809 units and an 8.9% market share.
• iMax ranked second in the people mover segment, after posting a sales result of 253 units and a 21.1% market share.
• iLoad ranked second in the van segment after posting a sales result of 473 units and a 26.8% market share.

Mazda Sales Jump in July

Mazda Australia has kicked off the second half of the year in style selling a total of 7,374 new passenger and commercial vehicles in July.

According to July VFACTS figures released today Mazda has sold 50,245 new vehicles so far this year, making it the country’s most popular full-line vehicle importer with a market share of 8.2 percent year-to-date.

Mazda3 remains the country’s best-selling small car and the ever-popular hatch and sedan remains Australia’s second highest selling passenger car year-to-date. A total of 3,464 new Mazda3s were sold last month, up 11 percent year-to-date.

It was another good month for the chic and zippy Mazda2 light car with 1,305 sold in July. Sales of the Mazda2 hatch and sedan are up 8.3 percent year-to-date.

Mazda6 remains the country’s best-selling medium import with 634 sales. Mazda6 finished July a convincing 134 units ahead of its closest import rival.

There’s no denying the growing popularity of Mazda’s compact crossover CX-7, with the stylish SUV the third most popular choice in the Compact SUV segment year-to-date. Mazda sold 764 new CX-7s last month, that’s up a massive 157 percent year-to-date.

Mazda Australia managing director Doug Dickson is pleased to be celebrating another strong sales month and attributes Mazda’s ongoing sales success to its impressive product line-up.

“One of Mazda’s greatest strengths is that it offers a diverse product portfolio that continues to appeal to a wide range of Australian buyers. In short, we have something for everyone.

“Combine this with the passionate and dedicated people working within our National Dealer Network and we’re well on track to clocking another bumper year. Maybe even our best yet.”

In July; It Figures for Mercedes-Benz

July 2010 was another strong month for Mercedes-Benz with it’s vehicle sales in Australia performing strongly across the prestige and luxury segments the brand competes in.

The Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mr Horst Von Sanden said
“The success of the Stereo (un)typical B-Class lead the Small >$40K class in July and cemented its very strong third place YTD.

In a segment that includes everything from small hatchbacks in both three and five door variants to mini estates, the B-Class is unique in offering a range of models that all offer true five passenger space and comfort and room for not just their luggage but even mountain bikes. We believe that the B-Class Sports Tourer offers a compelling mix of versatility, prestige, variants and value that buyers have realised is a unique offering in the segment.

In July the C-Class again led the segment with more than one in three buyers opting for this Wheels Car Of The Year vehicle. The new generation CGI petrol engines and our price value strategy are delivering to our customers what we believe is the best mix of dynamism, luxury, safety and style that discerning buyers clearly recognise as the class leader. Our C-Class Estate had its second best month ever in Australia and it is well on track to have its best ever year.

The all new E-Class in July held its commanding market share despite strong performances from its competitors and with more than a 50% market share year to date the challenge for us continues to be securing adequate supply form the factory.

In the Sports >$80K the all new E-Class Coupe and Cabrio are chosen by one in four buyers and continue to lead the segment YTD with a 25% share.

In the Upper Large >$100K the S-Class and its nearest competitor are locked in a battle for leadership with only three vehicles separating them YTD. Our S-Class volume is up year on year with a revised S-Class on the way we expect the
market share battle to continue right thought the remainder of 2010 and continuing into 2011.

In the SUV Luxury segment our updated 7-seat GL-Class models are now reaching showrooms in the quantities we would like and the performance YTD of our “Gentle Giant” continues to build its presence in this small but influential niche.

The ML-Class is continuing its year on year growth (38.5%) and we are convinced that the specification and value offered by the ML is clearly hitting a chord with customers seeking a large five seat SUV.

We have been running out the current edition of the R-Class Sports Tourer in preparation for the comprehensively updated new R-Class which will start being delivered by the end of August.

July Record For Subaru

Subaru achieved all-time record July sales of 3253 vehicles, according to official VFACTS figures released today.

Subaru sales were up 15.9 per cent for the month and the innovative Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive brand has a 4.0 per cent share of the market year-to-date (YTD).

Spearheading the Subaru performance was Forester with 1321 sales, up 15.3 per cent on July 2009. It was also the model’s best July. Forester remains the country’s best-selling SUV Compact for the month and YTD.

Also performing strongly was Outback with 543 sales, up an incredible 311.4 per cent for the month and 131.4 YTD.

Liberty sold 500, up 60.3 per cent over last July and 55.1 per cent YTD.

Subaru’s stellar result also included 814 Impreza and 75 Tribeca sales.

Subaru Managing Director, Nick Senior, said: “With our widebody Impreza WRX and revised STI due in early September, we’re getting strong showroom interest right across the Subaru range.”

Alto Leads Record Sales for Suzuki

Record sales for Suzuki’s economy busting Alto sub-light car have the company on track for another record year.

A total of 569 Altos – Australia’s least expensive car to own and operate according to the industry leading NRMA annual costs survey – represented the best ever sales figure for the car.

It helped Suzuki to 2004 sales for the month – its best ever July result on record.

Year to date sales for Suzuki total 14,331, an increase of 27 per cent over last year and easily exceeds the industry average of 15.6 per cent.

The year to date figure is also four per cent higher than the company’s record 2008 figure.

“Suzuki has reconfirmed its position as one of the fastest growing brands in the country and the record Alto result has the company poised to register another record sales year,” said Suzuki Australia general manager Tony Devers.

“We have sorted our supply issues and now have good stock of Alto throughout the country and customers are responding to a driveaway price of just $12,490,” said Devers.

AUSTRALIANS “VOTE TOYOTA” WITH THEIR WALLETS

Australians have bought more Toyotas than any other make so far this year – to the tune of 45,000 vehicles.

Official figures released today show Toyota dealers sold more than 124,000 new vehicles in Australia during the seven months to July 31.

That translates into customers buying Toyota cars and trucks at a rate of almost 600 a day, seven days a week.

Toyota’s nearest rival has sold fewer than 80,000 vehicles this year, a gap of 45,415 vehicles or 214 sales a day.

Toyota’s results have been led by Corolla and Yaris sedans and hatches, the HiLux workhorse, locally manufactured Camry and Hybrid Camry and SUVs such as Prado, Kluger and LandCruiser.

In response to the latest figures, Toyota has officially lifted its 2010 sales forecast beyond 200,000 vehicles.

It would be the seventh straight year Toyota has broken through the 200,000 barrier – and it remains the only car company to have reached that number.

Toyota is also well on the way to its eighth consecutive year as market leader, and 14th overall.

Divisional manager of sales John Roca said the figures showed Australian motorists were “voting Toyota” with their wallets.

“Toyota is Australia’s strongest automotive brand and Toyota vehicles are renowned for their quality, durability and reliability,” Mr Roca said.

Mr Roca said continued strength in commercial-vehicle sales was pushing the entire Australian automotive industry towards one million sales this year.

“The market returned to six figures in the financial year ended June 30 – and sales in July were higher than the rate needed to repeat the effort for the calendar year,” he said.