VFACTS recorded a moderate increase in sales last month, up 1509 vehicles from November 2009. FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar reckons the motor industry is performing well compared to other industries, “These figures show new car sales continue to outperform other economic indicators, including retail spending and business investment.
“Much of the strength of the market can be attributed to the affordability of new vehicles, evidenced by the healthy sales to private buyers (up 9.6% in November).”
McKellar predicts Australia will register over 1 million new vehicle sales in 2010, if so it will be just the third time this has happened.
Toyota, Holden and Ford maintain their positions as the top three selling brands.
Vehicle Sales Continue to Outperform Other Economic Indicators
Official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showed that 87,342 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in November, up 1.8 per cent (or 1,509 vehicles) on the same month in 2009.
“These figures show new car sales continue to outperform other economic indicators, including retail spending and business investment,†FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.
“Much of the strength of the market can be attributed to the affordability of new vehicles, evidenced by the healthy sales to private buyers (up 9.6% in November),†Mr McKellar said.
Year-to-date, 948,987 vehicles have been sold, an increase of 11.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2009.
“It is now clear that total sales for 2010 will safely exceed one million units – only the third time this will have been achieved,†he said.
The SUV segment was again the strongest performer during November, recording an increase of 13.3 per cent; followed by passenger cars (up 5 per cent) and then heavy commercials (up 6.2 per cent). The light commercial segment decreased by 18.9 per cent.
Toyota was the top selling marque in November with 19,911 sales; followed by Holden with 11,354 then, Ford with 7,844 units.
New Models and Upgrades Bolster Kia Sales in November
Kia Motors Australia is set to finish the year on high following a string of new vehicle launches, model upgrades and continued year to date sales growth of over 24%.
Following the unveiling of the Cerato 5-door hatch at the Australian International Motorshow in October, the Cerato sedan and hatch combined to be up 49.8% on November 2009 figures.
The other latest addition to the Kia family, the all-new Sportage which was launched in August, is being very well received. It recently won DRIVE’s best SUV under $40,000 and won the silver award in the Cars Guide Car of the Year Award.
Its award-winning popularity is being supported in the showroom with Sportage sales up 19.6% compared to November last year.
Sportage’s larger sibling, Sorento, recently won Australia’s Best Cars Award – best SUV over $40,000. Its sales results of 191 units during November is a 131.8% increase on the same month last year.
“To show such positive sales results across the Kia range and particularly in the SUV segment, which is the fastest growing segment in the country, is reassuring,†said Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer Tony Barlow.
“All vehicles contributed to the steady performance and the Carnival continues to be the leader in the people mover under $40,000 class. Its 365 sales represent 35% of all sales in the segment.â€
Rounding out the list of performers is the K2900 which accounted for a significant 51.9% segment share of the trucks 2.5 – 3.5GVM category.
Mazda on Track for All-Time Sales Record
Mazda Australia is on track for a record breaking year after another solid sales performance in November.
According to VFACTS figures released today Mazda Australia sold 6,474 vehicles last month and has now retailed 77,788 new cars year-to-date.
With one month of 2010 remaining Mazda is on course to better the previous record and achieve a new all-time sales record.
Mazda only needs to sell a further 2,039 vehicles in December to surpass its 2008 record result of 79,826.
Sales successes were delivered across the Mazda range but it was the ever-popular Mazda3 that led the way smashing previous sales benchmarks.
With 2,980 sales for the month and 35,584 year-to-date, the stylish and spirited Mazda3 has already exceeded its previous annual sales record with one month still remaining. In total, Mazda3 sales are up 11.4 per cent year-to-date.
The chic Mazda2 city car continues to be one of Australia’s favourite light cars. A six per cent increase on the same month last year resulted in 1,255 Mazda2 sales in November consolidating its top three position in the segment year-to-date.
The Mazda6 remains Australia’s favourite imported family car while the Mazda CX-7 SUV continues to hit the sweet spot with 737 finding homes in November. CX-7 sales are up an impressive 140 per cent year-to-date.
Mazda Australia managing director, Doug Dickson was buoyed by another successful result “We’re obviously pleased with our performance so far this year and while there is still some work to be done 2010 looks like being a record year for Mazda.
“This result is testament to the fact that our range of Zoom-Zoom products continues to offer the value and style appreciated by Australian new car buyersâ€
Mercedes-Benz Out Performs the Market, Again!
Mercedes-Benz has outstripped both the passenger car and SUV market growth in year to date figures just released.
Horst von Sanden, Managing Director Mercedes-Benz cars said, We are extremely pleased that our growth rate year to date in passenger cars is 18.8% vs 9.5% for the market. This vindicates our strategy of First Choice that focuses on delivering to our customers the specification, model mix, safety and prestige that they expect from Mercedes-Benz. In SUV’s we have grown our sales 37% against the SUV markets 28% rise…
The B-Class is running second in its segment year to date with a stellar 170% rise year to date as well as outselling the combined total of both A and B-Class in 2009 by almost 50% to the end of November with a month of sales yet to count.
The award winning C-Class having recently received significant engine upgrades continues to lead the segment with a more than 30% market share. Horst von Sanden said “We are not surprised as we have continually focused on keeping the C-Class fresh with product enhancements. What does surprise us is that the C-Class is actually the third biggest selling medium car in the Australian market regardless of segmentâ€
The E-Class sedan has cemented its segment lead with a 30% sales increase year to date and a commanding 40% market share. This alone is impressive until you realise that the E-Class is the fifth largest selling large car in Australia and the biggest selling large sedan offering four, six and eight cylinder engine choices.
The E-Coupe and Cabriolet has registered a 174% sales increase year to date and just like its sedan counterpart it is the biggest selling four, six and eight cylinder vehicle in its segment by a very healthy margin with more than one in four buyers choosing the E-Class von Sanden said.
In the luxury SUV segment the ML-Class has registered the highest sales growth year to date in the segment with a whopping 50%+ sales increase year to date. The New-Generation R-Class has matched its 2009 sales rate despite a stock shortage pending the introduction of the New-Generation R-Class and forward orders for this seven seat Five Star SUV are exceeding our expectations von Sanden said.
One of our other seven seat SUV’s the gentle giant GL-Class has been is short supply due to demand in the North American market but has run almost line ball with 2009 sales despite this. In January we will introduce the GL450CDI Twin Turbo V8 Diesel with 225kW/700Nm that will give those discerning buyers who want true tow capacity, real off road heritage and ability with seven seat versatility, maximum safety, resale and a true prestige brand a compelling choice von Sanden said.
Our Viano has quietly registered a 42% sales increase in 2010 as it moves into 2011 with one of the healthiest order books we have ever seen for Viano von Sanden said.
To round off the year the incomparable safety pioneer CL-Coupe, the OMG SLS AMG and the oldest continuing passenger car nameplate in the automotive industry the SL led the segment with more than 23% of sales.
The SLS AMG has sold out its 2010 allocation and forty of these unique vehicles are already registered in customer’s garages with a handful more going into private collections.
Subaru’s November Reign
Subaru established a new November sales record of 3378 vehicles, according to official VFACTS figures released today.
The result is 153 ahead of the previous November record, set in 2007 and is 10.8 per cent up on November last year.
Impreza also achieved a November record of 1260 sales, up an incredible 49.6 per cent over the same month last year.
Forester sales of 1200 were up 15.3 per cent for the month.
Outback sales of 428 are now up 65.3 per cent year-to-date (YTD), while Liberty sales of 414 are up 19.4 per cent YTD.
Tribeca sold 76, up 153.3 per cent on November last year.
Suzuki Sales Records Tumble
With one month left to go Suzuki Australia has already topped its best ever annual sales result after another best ever sales month in November.
Suzuki sold a total of 1943 vehicles last month – its best ever November on record – representing a 21 per cent increase on the 2010 figure.
Year to date Suzuki sales are up 25 per cent, and the year to date sales total of 22,793 is 270 ahead of the record annual result set in 2008.
The 2010 YTD figure is up 4500 units on 2009.
The record November was delivered with strong sales across the range came on the back of another strong result by Alto, with 403 sales, Swift and Grand Vitara.
Importantly, Suzuki not only increased volume but also market share, up 2.4 per cent to 2.8.
Suzuki is set to finish the year on a high note with generous offers across its award-winning range.
Alto is now available with ESP across the range, with driveaway pricing starting at $12,490 for the GL manual. In addition, for the month of December only, all customers who purchase an Alto will be entitled to a $500 Coles Myer gift card.
Driveaway pricing is available across the Swift line-up, starting at $15,990 for the entry level up to $24,990 for the range-topping Swift Sport.
All Swift models sold in December will come with an extended five-year, 130,000 kilometre warranty.
The SX4 Adventure pack offer has been extended into December, adding more than $1000 of value at no extra cost to the customer. Starting at $22,990 driveaway, the Adventure pack includes roof racks, bonnet protector, boot protector and bluetooth.
Suzuki’s flagship model – the Kizashi – now represents outstanding buying at just $29,990 driveaway, while the XLS is now on offer at just $36,990 driveaway.
All Kizashi customers will be eligible for Suzuki’s Platinum Advantage Program, providing free servicing for three years.
TOYOTA COROLLA – AUSTRALIA’S BEST-SELLING CAR
Toyota’s Corolla was Australia’s best-selling new car last month – the 12th time it has been the nation’s most popular vehicle.
Australians bought 4,536 Corolla sedans and hatches in November – 765 more than any other car – as Toyota retained its long-term number-one position.
Toyota’s market-leading performance was also boosted by HiLux (3rd – 3,241 vehicles), Yaris (7th – 2,270) and Camry (8th – 2,232), all of which were the top-selling vehicles in their respective segments.
The company’s total of 19,911 registrations for the month was higher than the combined totals of its nearest two competitors, and gave Toyota a market share of 22.8 per cent.
Toyota is now within just 7,000 vehicles of achieving 200,000 sales for the seventh consecutive year. No other company has ever reached that mark.
It has an overall lead of more than 70,000 over its closest rival and in excess of 105,000 compared with the third-placed company.
Toyota Australia’s senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner said Toyota’s strong showing in November was not limited to the impact of its competitive retail offers on Yaris and Corolla.
“Toyota’s passenger-car sales in November were up 14.3 per cent on the same month last year; at the same time, our SUV sales were up 9.8 per cent,” Mr Buttner said.
“Results such as these demonstrate that Toyota and our dealer network do not take our market-leading position for granted, especially in such a competitive environment.
“Customers can be sure that we will always strive to fulfil their requirements – in our vehicles, our marketing offers and our after-sales service.”
Mr Buttner said Corolla’s strong sales last month propelled it back to overall leadership of the small-car market – a segment it has led since 2000.
Yaris was the best-selling light car and Camry is heading for its 17th year as leader of the medium segment.
The three top-selling SUVs last month were all Toyota vehicles – Kluger, RAV4 and Prado – with Prado leading in the contest to be the number-one SUV for the year.
Other segment leaders for Toyota in November and for the year so far are LandCruiser 200 Series wagon, HiAce van and HiAce bus.