Well done Australia, for the first time on record you’ve bought more than 1 million new vehicles before the end of November. The year-to-date figure at the end of last month was 1,016,605, a 10.9% increase compared with the same time frame last year.
As always, string demand for SUVs in the private sector has fuelled the growth, but so too has a resurgence in sales of passenger vehicles.
Meanwhile, Government fleet sales have dropped off by a total of 35.1% compared with November 2011 and by almost 21% since the start of the year.
The top three selling brands in November were Toyota (19,312), Holden (10,354) and Mazda (8,732). While the three best selling models were the Toyota Corolla (4,190), the Mazda3 (3,703) and the Toyota HiLux (3,059).
Congratulations to Mazda, too, who has recorded its best ever annual sales results, with a month still remaining in the year.
Vehicle sales on track to reach 1.1 million in 2012
For the first time ever, total new vehicle sales in Australia exceeded one million by the end of November, according to the official VFACTS data released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).
Overall, 1,016,605 vehicles (cars, SUVs, light commercials and trucks) have been sold since the beginning of 2012. This is a 10.9 per cent increase (90,627 vehicles) on sales for the first eleven months of 2011. November sales increased in every state and territory compared with the previous November and also on a year to date basis.
If December repeats previous years’ trends, with around 80,000 units sold for the month, total sales for 2012 may reach 1.1 million.
On a month to month basis, 98,347 vehicles were sold in November 2012, an increase of 10.9 per cent (or 9,693 vehicles) compared to November 2011.
Resurgence in passenger vehicle sales, as well as continued growth in SUVs and light commercial sales, contributed to the strong November result.
Passenger vehicle sales increased 10.6 per cent (4,940 units) compared with November 2011, driven particularly by the medium passenger vehicle segment. Disappointingly, government purchases of passenger cars dropped 35.1 per cent compared with the same month last year, and have decreased 20.7 per cent since the beginning of 2012.
Sales growth for SUVs continues to be driven by private and non-private customers, both of which are showing a trend toward diesel-powered models. Non-private buyers are also showing a growing interest in hybrid SUVs. There was 53.2 per cent growth in private purchases, and 28.2 per cent in non-private purchases of diesel SUVs compared with the same eleven months in 2011.
The market share of SUVs compared with passenger vehicle cars is virtually unchanged from last month, with SUVs making up 27.6 per cent of new vehicle sales year to date, compared with passenger vehicles which represent 51.8 per cent.
Sales of locally manufactured vehicles picked up compared to November last year, with an increase of 11.2 per cent, but total sales of 127,821 are down 1.7 per cent from nearly 130,072 this time last year.
The Toyota Corolla led vehicle sales in November, with 4,190 units. Mazda3 maintained second place with 3,703 sales, followed by the Toyota HiLux (3,059), Holden Commodore (2,659) and the Toyota Camry (2,349).
Toyota was the best performing brand overall in November selling 19,312 vehicles, followed by Holden with 10,354 and then Mazda with 8,732.
Top 10 selling marques – November 2012
- Toyota – 19,312
- Holden – 10,354
- Mazda – 8,732
- Ford – 8,529
- Hyundai – 7,756
- Nissan – 7,006
- Mitsubishi – 5,008
- Volkswagen – 4,370
- Honda – 4,005
- Subaru – 3,212
Fiat Chrysler Group Sales Increase by 59 per cent in November
The Fiat Chrysler Group (FCG) today announced November 2012 sales results were up 59 per cent compared to last year and that the Jeep Grand Cherokee was one of the strongest performers, retailing 880 units.
The group’s year-to-date sales are up 62.9 per cent with 21,464 cars sold this year versus 13,180 in 2011.
Clyde Campbell, Fiat Chrysler Group managing director, said the group was delighted with the sales results and confirmed the company is in a good position to finish the year on a high.
“This year Fiat Chrysler Group has provided our customers with cars that deliver on every level – dynamic new product and sharp pricing, marketed through an outstanding dealership network. The consistently strong sales we’ve achieved so far this year confirm that we’re on the right track,†said Campbell.
FCG is committed to maintaining the company’s steady growth into 2013 and beyond.
Veloster Still Leading the Pack in the Sports Car Segment
An industry record for the Australian automotive industry saw Hyundai ranked fifth overall with 7,756 cars sold in the month of November achieving 7.9% market share, and 8.2% total market share year to date. In passenger car sales Hyundai ranked third for the month with 5,900 vehicles sold, equating to a market share of 11.4%, which is an increase of +6.1% over the same period last year.
The Hyundai Veloster continues its unbroken streak taking first place in the competitive Sports segment for the tenth consecutive month, retaining the lead position since its launch in early 2012. With total sales for the Sports
Achieving its best ever monthly sales record since launch Hyundai i20 ranked first overall with sales of 1,841 units and market share of 14.5% in the
November saw the iLoad ranked second in the Van/CC 2.5-3.5t segment, while the iMax people mover and the sporty ix35 SUV both finished the month with third place in their respective segments.
“The Veloster continues to dominate the high-status Sports car segment with a tenth consecutive first place,†said Damien Meredith, Director of Sales, Hyundai Motor Company Australia. “At the other end of the spectrum the i20 had its best monthly sales result underlining the vehicle’s outstanding economy and value proposition in a highly competitive segment.â€
In the U.S., Hyundai Motor America announced an all-time record breaking November sales result with 53,487 cars sold representing an +8% year-on-year increase for the same period. The Elantra, a recent recipient of the ALG’s highest residual value award, achieved +28% sales growth while i45 (sold as Sonata in U.S.) was rewarded with a +13% sales increase for the month.
Hyundai Motor Company recorded an November 2012 global sales result of 420,365 units compared to 375,594 sales, an increase of +11.9%, for the same period in 2011.
Hyundai Motor Company Australia highlights include:
- The i20 ranked first in the Light Car < $25k segment achieving 1,814 vehicle sales and a segment share of 14.5%.
- Veloster ranked first in the Sports < $80k segment, posting a sales result of 377 units and a segment share of 29.9%.
- iLoad ranked second in the Van/CC 2.5-3.5t segment achieving 392 vehicle sales and a segment share of 28.7%.
- iMax ranked third among People Movers < $55k, posting a sales result of 120 units and a 13.4% segment share.
- The ix35 ranked third in the SUV Small < $40k segment achieving 889 vehicle sales and a segment share of 18.4%.
Kia Leads the Sales Growth Charge Amongst Mainstream Brands
As the Australian new car market topped the million sale mark by November for the first time, Kia Motors continued to play its part in the record growth as the fastest growing mainstream passenger car marque.
Figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries showed the Australian market had hit the magic million mark by the end of November for the first time in history, with Kia sales helping to push the barrow with growth of 24.9 per cent over 2011.
“We are extremely pleased with sales across our entire range,†said Kia Chief Operating Officer, Tony Barlow. “The strong sales are a clear indication the buyer confidence in Kia products is continuing to grow, driven by the brand’s key planks of safety, styling, engineering and value.â€
Mr Barlow said the brand’s 29.4 per cent year-on-year growth in a market growing just over 9 per cent was a pleasing vindication of Kia Motor Australia’s focussed long term business plans over the past few years.
In the passenger segment, Optima (up 166.1 per cent over 2011) and Rio showed solid growth with the latter posting a year-to-date rise of 31.6 per cent and more than 60 per cent growth for the month compared to November 2011.
The multi-award winning Rio, winner of the 2011 Carsguide Car of the Year, a two-time winner of Australia’s Best Cars ‘Best Light Car under $20,000’ award and a dual winner of the Carsales.com.au People’s Choice Awards, was the top seller for Kia in November.
Kia’s highly awarded SUV pair, Sorento and Sportage, are also finishing the year with a rush with Sorento up 24.9 per cent and Sportage up 26 per cent when compared to the same period last year.
The Sorento SLi recently added to its award cabinet with the ‘Best SUV over $40,000’ in the annual Drive Car of the Year awards while Kia Sportage SLi was recognised by Australia’s Best Cars receiving the award for ‘Best SUV under $40,000’.
Mazda Breaks All-Time Sales Record
With one full month of sales still remaining this year, Mazda has broken its all-time sales record having sold 94,332 new cars, utilities and SUVs to the end of November, according to VFACTS figures released today.
In its best November ever, Mazda sold 8,732 new vehicles to pass its previous best annual total of 88,333 set in 2011.
Mazda’s sales Year-To-Date (YTD) are up 16.5%; it has a strong 9.3 per cent market share maintaining its position as the country’s third best-selling automotive brand and the number one full-line importer.
Mazda3 again led the way with 3,703 November sales to top the small car segment and remain the country’s favourite car with an annual tally of 39,479, only 1,951 sales are needed in December to give Mazda3 it’s best ever year annual result.
An ongoing sales success story, the Mazda2 sold 1,561 new cars last month, to lead the charge in the competitive light car segment. Like its bigger sibling, the Mazda3, it is on pace to better its best-ever year in 2011 when it sold 17,501 cars.
Mazda CX-5 sales show no sign of abating, with 1,637 new SUVs finding homes in November as it approaches 15,000 sales in 2012. CX-5 was the country’s most popular medium SUV last month and when combining CX-5 sales figures with CX-7, Mazda tops the segment.
BT-50 also continues to sell strongly with a total of 893 sales in November taking the YTD tally to 10,946. This is a mere 80 units short of the BT-50’s best ever sales year, set back in 2009 and December is expected to bring the stylish utility a new annual sales record.
In addition, CX-9, with 1,127 YTD sales, is having its best year since 2008 and with New-Look CX-9 set to hit showrooms next week its fortunes are expected to continue in this vain
With All-New Mazda6 and New-Look MX-5 on sale now and New-Look CX-9 just around the corner there will be even more interest in Mazda products as we approach Christmas and head into the new year.
Mazda Australia managing director, Doug Dickson said, “In 2002 we were selling almost 40,000 cars and here we are in 2012 setting a new all-time sales record. This success is testament to the quality of products that our colleagues in Japan continue to produce but ultimately it’s our customers who we really have to thank. Without their support we wouldn’t be in this position and our pledge to them is to continue delivering the best Stylish, Insightful and Spirited products backed with the most comprehensive service possible.â€
Mitsubishi Motors Records Solid Sales in November
Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited’s (MMAL) recorded a solid month in November with total sales of 5,008.
On November 18, the all-new Outlander went on sale in Australia with 436 sold in its first 13 days on the market. The total number for Outlander reached 566.
Triton 4×4 continued to be a strong performer with 982 units. Combined with 530 Triton 4x2s, it was a great month for Triton with total sales of 1,512.
Challenger recorded a steady 247 units while the Pajero returned a strong 761 units, giving MMAL its best November on record in the Medium SUV category with a total of 1,008.
The city-sized ASX performed well with 542 units in November, bringing the year-to-date total for ASX to 6,402, a ten percent increase over 2011’s figures. In November MMAL had total SUV sales of 2,116 units, a record for the month.
MMAL CEO Mutsuhiro Oshikiri said MMAL is looking to finish 2012 strongly, with Triton and total SUV sales on track to hit record numbers.
“We’ve had a solid past three months hitting more than 5,000 sales in September, October and November and we will continue working towards steady growth in December and into 2013,†Oshikiri said.
According to official VFACTS figures, MMAL have sold 54,786 vehicles year-to-date, resulting in a 5.4 percent total market share.
Nissan Continues Record-Setting Pace in November
Nissan has continued its record-setting performance by recording its best ever sales result for November.
The company delivered 7,012 new vehicles in Australia last month, a full 20 per cent higher compared to the same time last year.
Nissan’s competitive and relevant finance and marketing offers again accelerated its sales strength, with the Navara, X-TRAIL, DUALIS and Micra models leading the charge.
“Nissan is working hard to deliver consumers innovative and exciting products and highly-competitive offers that provide maximum value in a robust market,†said Nissan Australia Managing Director and CEO William F. Peffer Jr.
Highlights for November 2012 included:
Navara
- Best ever November result on record
- November 2012 Navara result up 25 per cent vs. 2011
X-TRAIL
- Strongest November on record
- November result up 15 per cent on 2011
- Sales are up 28 per cent compared to same time last fiscal year (April to March)
DUALIS
- Best November on record, up 45 per cent vs. November 2011
- Up 59 per cent Nissan financial year to date vs. 2011
Micra
- Third best ever Micra sales result on record
- Micra 61 per cent up over November 2011
Pathfinder
- Up 19 per cent Nissan financial year to date vs. 2011
- Best November result since 2010
Nissan’s fleet sales for November 2012 are up 30 per cent compared to the same time last financial year, while Nissan Financial Services Australia enjoyed its third best month on record, almost double the financial value of November 2011.
Toyota leads auto industry past one million sales
Toyota has led Australian new-vehicle sales past the one-million mark in 2012 – the first time the magic million has been reached in November.
The market leader sold 19,312 vehicles last month, lifting the automotive industry to a record November tally of 98,347 sales and a record 11-month total of 1,016,605 vehicles.
So far this year, Toyota dealers have delivered 197,007 vehicles – an increase of more than 30,000 or 18.6 per cent compared with the same stage last year.
It gives Toyota an unassailable lead this year of more than 91,000 sales and nine percentage points of market share over its nearest rival.
In its first full month of new-generation sales, Corolla was the best-selling vehicle in Australia in November – the 20th time it has led national sales.
Toyota vehicles filled three of the four top spots for the second consecutive month with the locally built Camry and the HiLux ute both topping 3,000 sales.
Toyota’s executive director sales and marketing Matthew Callachor said the latest results confirmed the industry will achieve a record full-year total.
“If sales over the next four weeks merely match those in December last year at 82,459 new vehicles, then the 2012 total will be tantalisingly close to 1.1 million,” Mr Callachor said.
“Significant demand has been generated through strong competition, enticing offers, a healthy supply of vehicles and low interest rates that are continuing to fall,” he said.
Mr Callachor said the industry’s previous sales record was 1.05 million in 2007, followed by million-plus totals in 2008 and the past two years.
“This year, Toyota’s growth has outpaced the overall industry, putting us on track for a 10th consecutive year of market leadership – the 17th time overall.
“A significant factor in Toyota’s growth has been the introduction of new models, including the renewal of our complete range of locally manufactured cars – Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion.
“The new Corolla, released in late October, has been embraced by new-car buyers for its attractive style, driving dynamics and value for money,” he said.
“Other new models – Prius c, Prius v and the 86 sports car – have also made important contributions to Toyota’s overall success.”
Mr Callachor said Toyota’s sales were also driven by innovations including zero per cent finance(1) available until the end of this month on its locally built cars and Toyota Access, a new finance plan that offers customers a more affordable and flexible way to buy a new vehicle(2).
1 Comparison rate. For full details of the Toyota Finance offer, visit toyota.com.au/special-offers.
2 For full details on Toyota Access, see www.toyota.com.au/toyota-access.