New vehicle sales report – November 2009

Big news in the car game last month with numbers increasing by a massive 20% on sales registered in November 2008. Following a more moderate sales boost in October, the FCAI is shouting from the roof tops that the worst of doom and gloom is over, “This is an extraordinary result that provides further evidence that the market and the broader Australian economy are showing signs of recovery,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

Although, McKellar does acknowledge his colleagues have been given a nice helping hand, “The exceptional November figures could not have been achieved without the Federal Government’s small business tax break,” he said.

Seems as though business buyers like SUVs and light commercial vehicles, with segment figures increasing by 44% and 39% respectively. Overall new vehicle sales for 2009 tally 848,620. Despite the good news from the last two months, this figure is still 9.3% down on 2008 sales.

Nothing new to report in market leaders, so that means the top three sellers are Toyota, Holden and Ford.

More after the break.

Tax Break Spurs Exceptional New Car Sales Result

Businesses taking advantage of government tax incentives to purchase light commercials and SUVs have helped the November new vehicle market rise by almost 20 per cent.

Official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) shows that 85,833 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in November 2009 – an increase of 19.9 per cent (14,216 vehicles) compared to the same month last year.

“This is an extraordinary result that provides further evidence that the market and the broader Australian economy are showing signs of recovery,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

“The exceptional November figures could not have been achieved without the Federal Government’s small business tax break,” he said.

“Business sales increased an incredible 35.4 per cent during the month; spurred on by the substantial incentives available until the end of the year,” Mr McKellar said.

One note of caution the industry has as we look to the year ahead relates to the recent interest rate rises.

“There is the risk that if the banks move too early and too rapidly to increase rates the positive impact of this stimulus measure will be diminished,” he said.

The SUV segment led the market in November with an increase of 44 per cent, followed by light commercials with a rise of 38.9 per cent and then passenger cars with a 9.4 per cent increase.

Year-to-date 848,620 new vehicles have been sold, down 9.3 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Toyota remained in the top sales position in November with 19,603 vehicle sales, ahead of Holden with 11,391 and Ford with 8,868.

Best November Sales Ever for BMW

Australia’s leading luxury car brand enjoyed its best-ever November sales and is on track to wrap-up the country’s luxury market leadership crown for the sixth year in a row.

BMW delivered 1,717 luxury cars and sports activity vehicles in November, an improvement of 28.9 per cent when compared to the same month last year.

For the year to the end of November, BMW has delivered 15,656 vehicles and is very close to reaching last year’s all-time annual sales record.

The German brand has an unassailable sales lead in luxury vehicle sales, and further extended its lead last month.

Thanks to increasing new product arrivals, BMW is poised to continue its leadership role in the Australian market in the coming years.

In 2010, the company will introduce no less than four all-new products including the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, BMW X1 Sports Activity Vehicle, BMW 5 Series Sedan and BMW 5 Series Touring.

“Although this year is not yet over, BMW will clearly finish on a high, taking the luxury crown for the sixth year in a row,” says Stavros Yallouridis, managing director of BMW Group Australia.

“With a fantastic line-up of new products entering dealerships this month and four all-new models confirmed for next year, BMW aficionados will certainly be spoilt for choice when it comes to the most dynamic and efficient luxury cars in 2010,” he says.

Chrysler Australia – November Vehicle Sales Up 46 Percent

• Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands were all up in November
• Jeep Wrangler and Patriot sales hit record numbers
• Dodge Journey and Nitro sales continue to grow

Chrysler Australia delivered 875 vehicles last month, an increase of 46 percent when compared to the same period in 2008.

There were stand out performances from each of the brands and two records were broken. The Chrysler 300C, PT Cruiser, Grand Voyager, Jeep Cherokee, Patriot, Wrangler, Dodge Journey and Nitro all reported year-over-year sales increases.

The managing director of Chrysler Australia, Gerry Jenkins said: “The November results are a clear indication that Australians continue to have a strong appetite for our vehicles.

Leading the charge was the Jeep Wrangler and the recently refreshed Patriot – both achieved their best results since launching in 2007.

“Wrangler is consistently our best seller and last month was no different. We’re expecting Patriot to close the gap as more stock arrives into our dealers over the coming weeks,” said Jenkins.

It wasn’t all Jeep for the month of November.

Chrysler 300C and PT Cruiser both improved as did Grand Voyager which continues to lead the segment.

Dodge Nitro and Journey continue to succeed in Australia as stock arrives to meet demand.

Hyundai Drives Past 60,000 Units

Hyundai has driven past 60,000 vehicle sales in Australia in 2009, securing an all time record for the brand in this country.

In a total market that has decreased 9.3% (November YTD 2009 v. November YTD 2008), Hyundai posted eleven consecutive months of year-on-year growth and an overall increase in sales of 41.6% YTD.

In November, Hyundai’s Australian dealers sold 5,262 vehicles, achieving a market share of 6.1%. Sales for November 2009 were up +37.5% over the same month last year – giving Hyundai its best ever November result.

Hyundai Motor Company’s global sales also increased 9.6% (November YTD 2009 v. November YTD 2008). In South Korea, the all-new YF mid-sized sedan sold 17,464 units, making it the best selling domestic model.

Hyundai’s Australian highlights include:

• Hyundai’s YTD result for November YTD of 59,168 units (7% share) represents a 41.6% volume increase over its result of 41,790 units over the same period in 2008.
• Hyundai’s result in November of 5,262 units (6.1% share) represents a 37.5% volume increase over its achievement of 3,828 units (5.3% share) in November 2008.
• iLoad ranked second in the van segment after posting a sales result of 399 units, consolidating its second position YTD.
• iMax ranked third in the people mover market, achieving a 11.7% market share, consolidating its third position YTD.
• Tucson ranked second in the compact SUV segment, posting a sales result of 1,091 units and a 13.6% market share.
• Getz ranked second in the light car segment achieving 1,304 vehicle sales and a 14.6% market share, consolidating it position as the best selling light car with 18,693 units sold November YTD.