New vehicle sales report – November 2011

Hold on tight everyone Australia should crack 1,000,000 car sales in 2011 after VFACTS figures show 88,654 new vehicles were sold in November. That brings the year to date total to 925,978, which should allow the 1 million mark to be broken for only the fourth time in Australia’s history.

“For the past four months in a row sales have been trending above the same period for 2010. This suggests improving consumer confidence in Australia’s economic prospects,” FCAI chief executive Ian Chalmers said.

Although, it is worth noting the final tally for 2011 will fall short of last year’s total of 1,035,574 sales.

As usual Toyota topped the charts for the month (17,436 sales), followed by Holden (9,761) and Ford (8,103).

For the fourth month in 2011 the Toyota Corolla was Australia’s highest-selling car (3,731). Close behind was the rather more bearable Mazda3 (3,480) and the tradies’ favourite Toyota HiLux (3,332).

Strong November Car Sales Point to Strong End to the Year

The prospects of the Australian automotive industry topping one million sales this year have been boosted by a strong vehicle sales performance in November.

According to VFACTS figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries 88,654 cars, trucks and buses were sold last month – an improvement of 1.5 per cent over November last year.

This was the second-highest November month on record, surpassed only by the 92,801 sales result in 2007.

Total sales for the year to date are running 2.4 per cent or 23,009 vehicles behind the same period last year.

FCAI chief executive Ian Chalmers says that while the total for 2011 will finish down on 2010, it is still likely to be a very good overall result for the automotive industry.

“For the past four months in a row sales have been trending above the same period for 2010. This suggests improving consumer confidence in Australia’s economic prospects,” Mr Chalmers said.

“Many car brands have been proactive in appealing to car buyers by offering lower prices, improved equipment and low finance rates. Consumers are responding positively to the value that is widely on offer.”

Mr Chalmers said the November sales result might have been even better if not for supply constraints which affected some brands.

“The flood in Thailand which continues to affect some car factories located there and the lingering after-effects of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami have played a part in limiting supplies of some popular models.”

The best-selling brand in November was Toyota with 17,436 followed by Holden with 9,761 and Ford with 8,103.

Toyota Corolla was Australia’s best-selling car in November, attracting 3,731 customers, followed by Mazda3 (3,480) and Toyota HiLux (3,332).

Market growth in November was also driven by the continued rise in the popularity of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

SUV Compact sales were up 12.6 per cent and SUV Medium sales were 16.8 per cent higher than the same month last year.

SUV Large volumes were up 5.4 per cent and SUV Luxury sales boomed by 36.1 per cent.

Other segments which enjoyed growth in November were Small (+1.4 per cent) and Medium (+2.3) passenger cars, Sports cars (+1.9), 4×4 utilities (+6.7) and Light Buses (+41.3).

“Assuming the current trends carry through December we are confident that total annual sales will exceed one million for only the fourth time in Australia’s history,” Mr Chalmers said.

 

New Holden Barina Makes Strong Debut in November

Supply issues continued to impact Holden sales in November, with the company experiencing a challenging month in an increasingly segmented marketplace.

Supply constraints for local and imported carlines impacted availability of key Holden models, including the popular, family-friendly Commodore and Cruze ranges, which were Australia’s fourth and fifth top-selling models respectively.

Holden remained the country’s second highest-selling automotive brand, retailing 9,761 vehicles to achieve a market share of 11.0 per cent for month.

Holden recorded Commodore sales of 2,808 units in November, bringing the year-to-date tally to 37,803 units. Commodore continues to account for a lion’s share of the large car segment, capturing 55.7 per cent YTD.

Cruze was the third highest-selling small car in November, with total sales of 2,393 units and 12.4 per cent segment share.

Despite a softer month of recorded registrations for Cruze in November, Holden dealers are reporting strong interest in the model year 2012 Cruze range, including the Australian-designed hatch body style, which also landed in November.

Holden’s new-generation Barina also made its market debut in November, boosting Barina sales to 1,283 units – Holden’s best Barina result since February 2008. Combined with the youthful Barina Spark, Holden’s Barina range accounted for 1,462 sales and 13.1 per cent of the light car market.

Holden Director of Sales Philip Brook said despite a challenging month, public reaction to its growing small car range was extremely positive and indicated potential for further growth.

“We’re rapt with the response to the all-new Barina hatch, which offers customers more value and technology than ever before,” he said.

“We’re also extremely proud that more than half of the cars we sold were locally-made, with Australians responding positively to our Australian-made portfolio and capability.

“We certainly faced some challenges in November but we’ve got a great product portfolio with a balanced mix of models to respond to a broad range of customer requirements.

“We’re only midway through our product renaissance, which will continue in 2012 with the arrival of a new-generation Colorado LCV, dedicated LPG Commodore, mid-sized Malibu sedan and Volt extended range electric vehicle.”

Holden has sold 115,902 vehicles to-date for a total market share of 12.5 per cent.

 

Accent Drives Hyundai’s November Sales

Hyundai has recorded its best-ever November sales result since the brand was introduced to Australia in 1986. Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) finished in fifth position overall with 7,514 sales, achieving a market share of 8.5%. The sales result saw an increase of 20.8% November 2011 v. November 2010 in a total market which was up 1.5% over the same period.

In passenger car sales, Hyundai ranked fourth for the month and fourth YTD with 5,563 vehicles sold and a market share of 11.9%.

Hyundai was first in the light car segment with a combined market share of 17.4% for i20 and Accent models, third in the small car segment with a combined market share of 13.4% for the i30 and Elantra models and third in the medium car segment with a combined market share of 10.2% for i45 and i40 Tourer models.

“November’s strong sales result is over 20% up on the same period last year and shows our newer products are continuing to gain traction in the market,” said Damien Meredith, Director of Sales, Hyundai Motor Company Australia. “In particular the new Accent’s sales result of over 1,000 units demonstrates that the car is hitting the mark with buyers.”

Hyundai Motor America (HMA) set an all-time sales record for November with a total sales figure of 49,610 vehicles, an increase of 21.8% November 2011 v. November 2010. Sales are up 20.6% November YTD versus the same period a year earlier.

Hyundai Motor Company has seen an overall increase in global sales of 19.3% rising from 314,780 units in November 2010 to 375,522 units in November 2011.

Hyundai’s Australian highlights include:

• i45 recorded its best sales result since launch achieving 586 vehicle sales and a market share of 8.9%.
• iMax ranked second in the people mover segment, posting a sales result of 195 units and a 19.7% market share.
• ix35 ranked third in the SUV compact segment, achieving 1094 vehicle sales and a market share of 9.6%.
• iLoad ranked second in the van segment, posting a sales result of 464 units and a 27.4% market share.

 

Kia Bucks Market Trend

Kia has continued to defy a contracting new car market with another Top Ten performance in November, according to the latest industry figures released by VFACTS.

With 2344 sales in November, Kia soared 18.2 per cent over the same month last year and remained 4.7 per cent ahead on the year-to-date performance in an overall new car market down by 2.4 per cent for the same period.

The star performer for Kia in November was the small car Cerato which has continued its month-on-month climb in the popularity stakes, recording a massive 130.4 per cent increase over November last year for a year-to-date rise of 78.2 per cent.

In the People Mover market the perennial favourite, the Grand Carnival, continued to dominate with a 36.5 per cent share _ well clear of any challengers.

In the highly competitive Compact SUV field the stylish Sportage continues to grow its popularity with a year-to-date jump in sales of 14.3 per cent. Its big brother Sorento is enjoying even greater success with a 27.4 per cent increase over November last year and a year-to-date increase of 28.4 per cent.

“It is always pleasing to outperform the market and especially satisfying to do so in difficult times,” Kia Motors Australia’s Chief Operating Officer, Tony Barlow, said. “There is a good spread of demand for Kia models and that is again a recognition that brand acceptance with buyers is continuing to improve.

“December will be a particularly challenging month for the industry as a whole but we are confident that another solid month will provide a great launching pad for 2012.”

 

Mazda Reaches new November Summit

Mazda has moved closer to a new annual sales record with 8,031 new vehicles finding homes last month due to a best-ever November performance.

This result eclipses Mazda’s previous November best, set in 2009, by a huge 1,437 new vehicles and provided the company with a 9.1 per cent market share.

Mazda’s potential to set another new sales record is underlined by the fact that its year-to-date sales performance is 3,197 new vehicles ahead of the same period last year. As a result, Mazda’s year-to-date market share is now 8.7 percent, a 0.5 per cent increase on last year.

Illustrating the wide appeal of the Mazda range, the company has so far recorded year-to-date increases across Mazda2, Mazda3, and BT-50.

With 1,449 November sales and a 13.6 per cent segment share year-to-date, the Mazda2 now sits over 1,500 sales ahead of its nearest rival and looks set to end the year as Australia’s favourite light car.

The evergreen Mazda3 continued to kick goals in November with 3,480 sales, a huge increase of 500 over the same month last year. So far this year, the Mazda3 has secured a record 17.7 per cent market share and in addition to now being certain to be 2011’s best-selling small car, also looks certain to be one of the two best-selling cars overall.

In its first full month on sale, the All-New BT-50 has made its intentions known by contributing an impressive 529 units of an overall 962 despite only so far having the new Dual Cab available. Year-to-date sales of BT-50 have grown by 8.2 per cent compared with the same period last year.

“With Mazda sales and customer awareness at record levels, we are pleased to be recording growth in what still remains a challenging market,“ said Mazda Australia managing director Doug Dickson.

“December will see strong competition across all segments but we are confident that with strong sales numbers already behind us so far this year that 2011 will set another benchmark for Mazda Australia,” said Dickson.

 

Renault Australia set for Highest Sales Year Since 2002

Renault Australia is on track for the highest sales year since 2002. According to VFACTS results released today, Renault Australia sold 402 vehicles in November, which is the equal second highest sales month for 2011.

Renault Australia has sold 3225 vehicles year to date and are 91% up on this time last year. 2011 is shaping up to be Renault Australia’s highest sales year since 2002.

The Mégane hatch was once again a stand out for Renault accounting for 116 vehicles. The new Mégane hatch diesel with its impressive fuel economy and new Efficient Dual Clutch transmission represented 33.6% of the Mégane hatch sales, proving the increasing appeal of diesel in the Australian market.

“We are delighted with our success in the Australian market this year,” said Justin Hocevar, Managing Director of Renault Australia.

“This year we have proved that the Renault brand can enjoy success in Australia. We are attracting a significant number of new customers to the brand and are confident that we can continue this sales success through to 2012.

“Our class-leading 5 year/unlimited warranty on passenger cars* is continuing to attract new customers to the Renault brand.

“This year has been all about getting Renault onto the shopping list of Australian new car buyers. We are confident that when customers look at Renault, see the great value package our cars offer and test drive our cars they will discover what an easy decision buying a new Renault is.”

*Passenger cars excludes Renault Sport.

 

Corolla tops sales charts for fourth time in 2011

Toyota’s Corolla was Australia’s best-selling vehicle last month – its fourth victory this year.

The popularity of Corolla helped push Toyota sales beyond 17,400 for the month – a margin of more than 7,600 ahead of its nearest rival.

Toyota now has an overall lead this year of more than 50,000 sales over any other company.

Toyota Australia senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner said the company’s results this year were remarkable.

“Toyota’s market-leading results have demonstrated the company’s resilience globally in overcoming obstacles such as the Japan earthquake and tsunami and the Thailand floods,” Mr Buttner said.

“Here in Australia, Toyota’s success has helped the overall market to strong results in recent months, lifting to more than 925,000 at the end of November.

“This should ensure the industry passes one million this year, which would be only the fourth time in its history.”

Toyota’s November results included nine vehicles that were leaders in their respective segments – Corolla, Yaris, Camry, RAV4, LandCruiser 200, HiLux 4×2, HiLux 4×4, HiAce bus and HiAce van.

For the year so far, HiLux is the best-selling Toyota vehicle with its November total of 3,332 lifting the popular workhorse to 34,501 sales in 2011 compared with 32,468 for Corolla.

Camry is in run-out ahead of a new-model launch, which will be followed in the new year by next-generation Camry Hybrid and Aurion.