Last month Australians signed off on 85,723 new vehicle sales, that’s almost 5000 more than February last year. A bit over half of all vehicles sold were classified as passenger cars. Fair enough. But around one quarter, that’s one in every four sales, is now an SUV. Shame on you people!
FCAI Chief Executive, Ian Chalmers is just happy that punters are splashing their cash. “The SUV market has clearly made a strong connection with auto customers by meeting their diverse needs,” he said. “This is demonstrated by overall SUV sales being up 23.8 per cent (4,505) since last month and 26.6 per cent (9,578) compared with February last year.”
Toyota was miles ahead of its nearest competitor, Holden, on the overall sales charts. While Mazda is having a turn as the third best seller nation wide, a position that generally rotates between them, Ford and Hyundai.
Aussies’ love for SUVs bring strong new car sales
5th March, 2012
Official VFACTS data released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) shows a second strong month for 2012 with 85,723 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles sold in February.
This is a 6.0 per cent increase (or 4,827 vehicles) compared to the same month in 2011. Taking into consideration the extra selling day in February this year (25 compared with 24 in 2011), this is an increase of 58.3 vehicle sales per day or 1.7 per cent.
The encouraging February results are also an 11.6 per cent increase (or 8,940 vehicles) on January.
“The love affair between Australians and sports utility vehicles continues,†FCAI Chief Executive, Ian Chalmers said. “The SUV market has clearly made a strong connection with auto customers by meeting their diverse needs. This is demonstrated by overall SUV sales being up 23.8 per cent (4,505) since last month and 26.6 per cent (9,578) compared with February last year.
“These impressive numbers are due to a 73.4 per cent increase (2,148) in the sales of small SUVs since January 2012, which is a 68.1 per cent increase (3,767) in the sales of small SUVs over that same period in 2011.â€
Passenger car sales were depressed, increasing by only 1.3 per cent (591) since last month.
Toyota was the best performing brand in February selling 14,849 vehicles, followed by Holden with 9,688 and then Mazda with 8,689.
Captiva SUV Sales Boost Holden’s February Sales
Record February sales of Holden’s Captiva SUV and Cruze small car ranges contributed to a strong result for Holden in February.
According to official VFACTS figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Holden’s performance showed solid growth across a number of carlines, in line with market trends.
Holden recorded its highest-ever February SUV sales result, with combined Captiva 7 and Captiva 5 sales of 1,328 units. Captiva 5’s record February performance saw sales increase 168 per cent increase on the same time last year with a total of 469 units. Captiva 7 sales were up 22 per cent, selling 859 units.
Holden’s locally-built line-up of Commodore and Cruze vehicles continued to hold their own in February. Commodore was the second-highest selling model for the month with 2,991 sales and 60.7 per cent segment share.
Cruze also celebrated its best-ever February result, selling 2,880 units for the month and capturing 15.2 per cent of the small car segment. Cruze was also the fourth highest-selling model in the marketplace.
Holden Director of Sales Philip Brook said Holden’s February result was boosted by healthy demand for Holden’s small car and SUV model range.
“Our Captiva line-up continues to excel in the booming SUV segment,†he said. “The Series II Captiva has been on the market for 12 months now and established a great reputation as a fantastic, all-round family favourite.
“Captiva 5 is also taking off and we’ve had two outstanding months already this year.
“We’re also coming up to our one-year anniversary for the home-grown Series II Cruze. Customers have really embraced Cruze as Australia’s small car and it regularly places in the top five.
“Barina is proving a real challenger in the competitive light car segment and with the new-generation hatch and sedan now on sale, it’s attracting significant demand.
“We’ve almost sold out of the current Colorado and we’re really excited about the arrival of the all-new model range, which will reinvigorate Holden’s LCV line-up when it hits the market later this year.
Holden’s total February volume was 9,688 units, which gives Holden market share of 11.3 per cent. To date, Holden has sold a total of 18,749 units.
Veloster Helps Drive Hyundai to Another Record Month
Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) has recorded its best-ever February sales result since the brand was introduced to Australia in 1986 – the 11th consecutive month of year-on-year growth.
HMCA finished in fourth position overall with 7,412 sales, an increase of 12.2% over the same period last year, achieving a total market share of 8.6%.
In passenger car sales, Hyundai also ranked fourth for the month with 5,725 vehicles sold, and a market share of 12.4%.
In its first month of sales, the Veloster topped the Sports segment with 411 sales and a market share of 22.2%, whilst the iLoad continued its strong sales performance in the Vans/CC 2.5-3.5t segment placing first with 546 sales and a market share of 36.2%.
Hyundai was second in the light car segment with a combined market share of 14.5% for i20 and Accent models and third in the small car segment with a combined market share of 15.7% for the i30 and Elantra models.
“The continuation of growth for Hyundai in Australia is encouraging and shows acceptance of our new models such as the Veloster which performed above our expectations,’ said Damien Meredith, Director of Sales, Hyundai Motor Company Australia. “In the coming months we will see a number of updated and next-generation vehicles such as i20 and i30 arrive which will again see an increase in the quality of Hyundai vehicles sold Australia.â€
In the U.S., Hyundai Motor America (HMA) has again set an all-time monthly sales record with total sales for February of 51,151 vehicles, an increase of 18% February 2012 vs. February 2011.
Hyundai Motor Company has seen an overall increase in global sales of 28.3% rising from 281,284 units in February 2011 to 360,979 units in February 2012.
Hyundai’s Australian highlights include:
- i20 ranked third in the Light segment, achieving 1,093 vehicle sales and a market share of 10%.
- Veloster ranked first in the Sports segment, posting a sales result of 411 units and a 22.2% market share.
- iMax ranked third in the People Mover segment, achieving 148 units and a market share of 16.6%.
- ix35 ranked third in the SUV Small segment, posting a sales result of 845 units and a 16.7% market share.
- iLoad ranked first in the Van/CC 2.5-3.5t segment, achieving 546 vehicle sales and a market share of 36.2%.
Kia Year to Date Sales Up 19 Percent in February
National retail vehicle sales for Kia Motors Australia have increased by 19.4% compared to the same period last year and are up by 14.2% compared to February 2011 according to VFACTS figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries today.
The figures are supported across the Kia range with its passenger and SUV segments up 15.2% and 15.3% respectively.
Leading the charge in the passenger segment is the all-new Kia Rio up 68.9% compared to February 2011. The award winning 5-door hatch was joined by its 3 & 4-door siblings which were launched during February with early indications proving very positive.
“We have very successfully launched the 3 and 4 door Kia Rio models,†said Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer, Tony Barlow.
“Off the back of Car of the Year Award for 5 door Rio – the press reports and public response to these new models has been fantastic.
“At $15,990 drive away the 3 door Rio is the talk of the town due to its value for money, design, safety features, plus its ride and handling qualities. Rio 4 Door is also gaining a lot of attention for similar reasons with many fleet customers.â€
Another highlight within the passenger range was Optima showing an increase of 21.3% when compared to February 2011.
SUV figures were buoyed by a very strong Sportage month with the Compact SUV jumping 63.8% when compared to the same month last year.
Mazda Continues Record-Breaking Start
Mazda Australia has continued its record-breaking start to the year with its best-ever February result of 8,689 sales for 10.1 per cent market share, according to official VFACTS figures released today.
In addition to setting a new February benchmark, last month also signified the company’s third best month ever.
When compared to last February, Mazda Australia’s year-to-date sales grew by 15.7 per cent – or 2,324 new cars and utilities – positioning the brand firmly in the country’s top three.
Mazda3, Australia’s best-selling car in 2011, again found favour with buyers. A total of 3,733 were sold in February making it the country’s best-selling small car and best-selling car overall for the month.
Mazda2 stayed at the front in the light segment with 1,771 February sales contributing to a 15.8 per cent increase year-to-date compared to the same period last year.
Another model to see year-to-date growth is Mazda6 which added 546 sales in January for a 16.8 per cent increase over the same period last year.
All-New BT-50 secured 1071 sales, the nameplate’s best monthly result in over two years.
A combined total of 1,100 sales of the outgoing CX-7 and All-New CX-5 put Mazda in third position in the medium SUV category while their larger sibling, CX-9, recorded 451 sales for its second-best month ever.
Doug Dickson, Mazda Australia managing director, said: “We are again delighted to note customer’s acceptance of Mazda products across our whole range. Our success in February gives us more confidence of a strong year but we will not be losing sight of our obligation and commitment to looking after our customers.”
Nissan Storms to Highest Ever February Share
Nissan Australia has recorded its highest February sales month ever (as a full importer).
With retail sales of 6,227, February’s result was a substantial 11.3 per cent improvement on February 2011 – and particularly impressive when compared against the overall market growth of only six per cent.
Highlights:
- Now recorded three consecutive months with market share of more than seven percent. (December 7.3%, January 7.0% and now February 7.3%)
- February market share of 7.3% is well above last year of 6.9% for the same month
- On track for our best ever financial year result as a full importer!
- Highest X-Trail sales result since 2005 with a result of 1,347 sales.
- Navara was market leader with a PU/CC 4X4 share of 23.8%. (Hilux was at 17.7%).
- Best D22 ST-R Navara sales result for five years –785.
- Nissan’s Financial Year to date market share of 6.6 per cent is ahead of last year’s share of 6.2 per cent.
XV Makes Exceptional Debut
Subaru’s newest model, the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive XV has made a massive impression in its first full month of sales, retailing 1005, according to official VFACTS sales figures released today.
XV was the best-selling small SUV under $40,000 in February, commanding 20.5 per cent of its segment.
Also performing strongly was Forester, with 1030 sales.
Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: “We’ve had an amazing response to the XV with online and showroom traffic increasing massively to coincide with its debut.
“Our XV marketing campaign, spearheaded by a television ad that has gone viral thanks to its fantastic appeal, is turning heads and bringing lots of new people to the Subaru brand.â€
Total Subaru sales for February were 3225, including 363 Libertys, 347 Outbacks, 124 Tribecas and 356 Imprezas.
The new generation Impreza has just gone on sale and Subaru anticipates a significant sales increase in its small car model during March.
TOYOTA OUTSELLS RIVALS BY HALF
Toyota sold at least 50 per cent more vehicles in Australia last month than any other automotive company, according to official figures released today.
Dealers delivered more than 14,800 cars, SUVs and light-commercial vehicles to customers during the shortest month.
This was an increase of 5.5 per cent on Toyota’s January total; its nearest rival sold fewer than 9,700 vehicles.
In just the first two months of the year, Toyota has built a commanding sales lead of more than 10,000 vehicles.
Topping their respective segments were Toyota’s newly launched Camry as well as the Prado and LandCruiser 200 Series SUVs, HiLux 4×2 ute and HiAce bus.
Toyota Australia’s executive director sales and marketing Matthew Callachor said the February result appeared to confirm expectations for the industry to post another million-plus result in 2012.
“Toyota expects to benefit from at least six new-model launches as well as significant updates to other key models,” Mr Callachor said.
“The Prius family will soon be expanded to three models with the imminent arrival of the compact Prius c city car to be followed in a few months by the larger and more versatile Prius v.
“These two new fuel-efficient vehicles will join the world’s best-selling hybrid car, the Prius hatch, which itself is about to gain refinements to its quality, performance and overall appeal.
“Toyota is also gearing up to launch the new Camry Hybrid, built right here in Australia with an unbeatable combination of performance and economy.
“The arrival of these four ground-breaking Toyota cars means that 2012 is shaping up as the year of the hybrid,” he said.
Other new-model launches for Toyota in 2012 include the 86 sports car, the next generations of the award-winning locally built Aurion V6 and one of the country’s best-selling cars, Corolla, plus significant updates to the LandCruiser 200 range.