Despite the demise of the Rick Damelian empire, one of Sydney’s largest dealership networks, new vehicle sales were buoyant last month. A total of 86,819 sales were registered, an increase of 1765 (2.1%) on the same month last year.
Year-to-date a total of 752,128 new vehicles have been sold and the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries remains hopeful 1 million sales can be reached for the fourth consecutive year.
New FCAI chief executive Ian Chalmers says, “Reduced sales in the second quarter of 2011 have set a challenging target for the final three months of the year, but industry resolve is high
“Sales stimulus by means of competition in the marketplace saw the third quarter end strongly, and we are now looking toward continued growth through to the end of the year.â€
Toyota, Holden and Ford were the highest selling brands for September. While Corolla, Commodore and Hilux were the most purchased model lines.
Motor Vehicle Sales Grow in September
October 6 2011
Sales of new motor vehicles in Australia grew strongly in September, according to figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).
Official VFACTS data shows 86,819 new vehicles were sold in the month of September, an increase of 2.1% (1765 vehicles) over the same month in 2010.
FCAI chief executive Ian Chalmers said two consecutive months of strong growth signalled a recovery in sales from Japanese manufacturers now that supply from the earthquake and tsunami affected area was beginning to stabilise.
FCAI is remaining firm in its forecast that 2011 will deliver Australia’s fourth one-million sales year.
Mr Chalmers said the one million forecast was more challenging to achieve compared with the three previous million-sale years.
“Reduced sales in the second quarter of 2011 have set a challenging target for the final three months of the year, but industry resolve is high,†he said.
“Sales stimulus by means of competition in the marketplace saw the third quarter end strongly, and we are now looking toward continued growth through to the end of the year.â€
Sales of locally manufactured vehicles grew significantly in September, increasing more than 21% over the same month in 2010.
Sales of light commercial vehicles and heavy vehicles also grew strongly in September – up 11.2% and 5.8% respectively on 2010 figures – which FCAI suggests may be associated with improving business confidence and increased activity in the resources sector.
Toyota’s Corolla was the single best selling model in September with 3766 sales, followed by Holden’s Commodore (3712), Toyota HiLux (3191) and Holden Cruze (3117).
So far this year 752,128 new vehicles have been sold, 3.7% fewer than for the same period in 2010.
Toyota was the best selling marque in September with 17,378 sales, followed by Holden (11,009), and Ford (8161).
Commodore Driving Holden Sales in September
- Commodore No.1 YTD
- Cruze fourth consecutive month above 3,000 units
Holden’s popular locally-made double act, Commodore and Cruze, continued to set the Holden pace in September with both models in the top five.
According to September VFACTS figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Commodore heads into the final quarter of 2011 as Australia’s most popular vehicle.
With 3,712 sales last month, the versatile Commodore passenger range continued to account for more than half of large car sales. A total 31,977 Commodores have been sold so far this year, equating to 56.1 per cent of the segment.
Cruze notched up another impressive month of sales just weeks ahead of 2012 model year upgrades. Holden’s increasingly popular small car, which will gain an all-new hatch model and Bluetooth as a standard feature from November, sold 3,117 units in September, which is the fourth consecutive month Cruze sales have topped 3,000 units.
Cruze and Commodore contributed to Holden’s September result of 11,009 units and 12.7 per cent market share. The result brings the company’s year-to-date tally to 95,932.
Holden Director of Sales Philip Brook said strong customer appeal and a long-term strategy of continuous improvement had been key to Commodore’s enduring popularity.
“With Commodore, we’re continually refining a really strong, diverse package from the value-packed Omega through to our sports performance range headlined by the exciting Redline Edition,†he said.
“We’ve covered all the bases by offering great value, the highest safety standards across all models and a range of body styles and powertrain choices.
“All Commodores have the high-tech multimedia functionality of the Holden-iQ system and we offer a number of fuel efficient and alternative fuel technology options, which we’ll broaden with a new dedicated LPG system next year.â€
The 2012 Commodore range is available at Holden dealerships, and has been freshened with styling updates, two new exterior colours and flex-fuel capability to run on up to 85 per cent bio-ethanol now extended across the range.
Hyundai Scores Record September Sales Result
Hyundai has recorded its best-ever September sales result since the brand was introduced to Australia in 1986. Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) finished in fourth position overall with 7,508 sales achieving a market share of 8.6%. The sales result saw an increase of 22.7% September 2011 v. September 2010 in a total market which was up 2.1% over the same period.
In passenger car sales, HMCA ranked third for the month and fourth YTD with 5,484 vehicles sold and a market share of 11.5%.
Hyundai was first in the light car segment with a combined market share of 15.2% for i20 and Accent models and second in the small car segment with a combined market share of 15.1% for the i30 and Elantra models.
“A strong passenger car sales result for September is very pleasing and reflects the success of our recent new model introductions including Elantra and Accent,†said Damien Meredith, Director of Sales, Hyundai Motor Company Australia. “We look forward to a robust last quarter of 2011 as we launch the all-new i40 Tourer medium-size wagon.â€
Hyundai Motor America (HMA) has announced a record September sales figure of 52,051 vehicles, an increase of 12.0% September 2011 v. September 2010. Sales are up 20.0% September YTD versus the same period a year earlier.
Hyundai Motor Company has seen an overall increase in global sales of 14.1% rising from 315,157 in September 2010 to 359,560 in September 2011.
Hyundai’s Australian highlights include:
- iMax ranked second in the people-mover segment achieving 197 vehicle sales and a 21.4% market share.
- iLoad ranked second in the van segment after posting a sales result of 565 units and a 30.8% market share. In the competitive van segment Hyundai’s iLoad remains first overall YTD.
Kia Keeps the Pedal Down to Retain Top 10 Ranking
Kia has shrugged off the challenge of a contracting new car market to maintain its sales momentum and retain a Top 10 position for September, according to official figures released by VFACTS.
For the second month in a row and the third time for the year Kia has underscored the brand’s growing desirability by claiming a Top 10 laurel with a 2.6 per cent market share.
“It is very pleasing and a clear indication that despite the many challenges facing the automotive industry, Kia continues to perform ahead of the game,†Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer, Tony Barlow, said.
“There were highlights for the month – Cerato’s continued growth, Carnival’s perennial domination of the people mover segment and a stellar month for Sorento – but there were indications of opportunities in other areas as well.â€
Cerato sales, helped by the growing popularity of the 5-door hatch, jumped 145.2 per cent over September last year and maintained an 82 per cent growth rate for the year to date.
Carnival, driven by a pair of new engines, continued its domination of the under $55,000 segment with a 37.8 per cent share of the market while the compact Kia Rondo, winner of the recent Wheels Gold Star Award, is enjoying a renewal of interest with a 164.7 per cent jump on September last year and a 32.7 per cent year to date growth.
However, the star for Kia in September was the lauded Sorento in the Medium SUV segment. With a 6.1 per cent market share in one of the most hotly-contested segments the Sorento enjoyed a 196.5 per cent increase over September 2010 and maintained an impressive 27.5 per cent growth rate in 2011.
Corolla leads market as Toyota makes strong third quarter recovery
Toyota Corolla was Australia’s biggest selling motor vehicle in September.
Official figures released today show 3,766 Corollas were delivered, 54 more than the most in demand locally manufactured sedan.
Corolla led a strong Toyota comeback.
Strengthening supply of vehicles from tsunami-affected Japan has helped Toyota achieve its best September sales result in three years.
The company claimed third quarter market leadership and maintained its number one position in annual sales.
Toyota’s executive director sales and marketing Matthew Callachor said today the fourth quarter would feature aggressive competition as all brands returned to full capacity.
Toyota was able to deliver 17,378 new vehicles in September, its best monthly result since March when the effects of Japan’s natural disaster were felt.
Toyota claimed third quarter leadership with 46,243 total deliveries, a substantial improvement on its second quarter result of 37,241.
The company returned to leadership in eleven market segments.
“Toyota is extremely grateful to its loyal customers for sticking with it as it has striven to recover,” Mr Callachor said.
“A massive effort by the factory has been instrumental in clearing backlogs, sometimes by providing far more models than normal allocation.”
Toyota delivered 38 per cent more LandCruisers in September than in the same period last year and sales of its HiAce bus were 134 per cent greater than in 2010.
Mr Callachor said Toyota was continuing to seek supply to meet the demands of an aggressive fourth quarter.
It had already begun a major sales and marketing thrust in anticipation of strong competition in a still buoyant market.
“There is a lot of unrequited demand for new vehicles and the fourth quarter is likely to be one of the most competitive ever,” Mr Callachor said.