Category: Holden

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Holden Hyundai Kia Toyota VFACTS reports

New vehicle sales report – September 2011

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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.”

Toyota, Holden and Ford were the highest selling brands for September. While Corolla, Commodore and Hilux were the most purchased model lines.

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Holden Hyundai Kia Mazda Renault Toyota VFACTS reports

New vehicle sales report – August 2011

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Things are looking up as far as new vehicle sales in Australia are concerned. At total of 88,082 sales were recorded in August. That’s up 7091 compared to the previous month and 5960 more than August 2010.

Steve Payne, FCAI acting Chief Executive, explains the market is trending upwards after a slow start to 2011, “We’re continuing to see a recovery in supply from earthquake and tsunami-damaged Japan, along with stronger sales in Queensland as the state recovers from severe weather events earlier in the year.”

The real news is that the Mazda3 knocked the Holden Commodore of its perch as the country’s highest selling car. While Toyota comfortably held its position as the highest selling marque, ahead of Holden and Mazda.

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Audi Holden Mazda Toyota VFACTS reports

New vehicle sales report – July 2011

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A total of 80,991 new vehicles were sold last month according to official VFACTS numbers. That represents a small drop of 1.7% compared to July 2010.

Steve Payne, FCAI Acting Chief Executive, explains the year-long trend is lower again, “While the drop in sales in July is small compared to the same month last year, the overall drop in sales for the year to date of 5.9% indicates that consumers are continuing to delay new vehicle purchases.”

The apparently unstoppable growth in SUV sales continues, with the segment up 1.8% against July last year. While the luxury end of the SUV market is up 17.4% on year-to-date figures.

Toyota returns to top the charts for the month (12,980 sales), with Holden (10,819) in second and Ford (7769) holding off Mazda and Hyundai.

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Holden Hyundai Kia Mazda VFACTS reports Volvo

New vehicle sales report – June 2011

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Apologies for missing last month’s update and for those keeping score Holden actually pipped Toyota to the highest selling marque for May. A result largely due to supply issues in Japan following the tsunami earlier this year. Indeed the total sales for May were 77,406 a fall of 13.2% on 2010 figures.

And so it has remained in June. Holden still holds the title of highest selling brand (12,827) just ahead of Toyota (12,514). Ford has knocked Hyundai off the ever-revolving third place position on the sales charts (9,216).

In all 96,157 vew vehicles were delivered in June, a healthy increase on May’s figures, but still down 11.6% on 2010 numbers; which was a record for single month sales.

FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar said, “Manufacturers and distributors affected by the Japanese natural disaster are reporting a reliable return of supply. We would expect the effect to dissipate over coming months.”

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Holden Motorsports News

Shannons Supercar Showdown chases V8 talent

Shannons Supercar Showdown

Grant Denyer’s latest television adventure will see him join forces with Kelly Racing in the hunt for a new V8 Supercar driver. The program, titled Shannons Supercar Showdown, will run on 7mate and premieres on Saturday 23 July.

There will be 10 drivers—including three females, one Kiwi and one Briton—fighting for the chance to drive with Denyer at this year’s Bathurst 1000.

The show promises a true behind the scenes look at a top line V8 Supercar team. As well as showcasing the on-track action it will bring viewers closer to the engineers and mechanics, designers, dieticians and personal trainers.

We’re not sure if this will be a hit or a total flop, but it’s sure to be fun finding out. Read more in the official press release after the break.

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Holden Hyundai Kia Mazda Mitsubishi Toyota VFACTS reports

New vehicle sales report – April 2011

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April’s Easter and Anzac day holiday break is being cited as the cause for an 8.8% drop in sales compared to 2010 figures. In all 74,214 new vehicles were sold.

Japanese marques are expected to have temporary ongoing supply issues following the unfortunate earthquake and tsunami.

Toyota and Holden continue their reign as the country’s top two selling brands. However, in April, they gain a rare visit from Hyundai in third place, ahead of usual rivals Ford and Mazda.

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Audi Holden Hyundai Kia Mazda Subaru Toyota VFACTS reports

New vehicle sales report – March 2011

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March was another month without much fanfare as far as vehicle sales go. The official press release from FCAI is very matter of fact.

In real terms, though, the numbers don’t seem too bad. A total of 93,984 sales were registered, a drop of just under 1% compared to March 2010.

FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar seemed to dismiss the drop in sales by saying, “Notwithstanding slightly lower sales during the month, the demand for new vehicles is broadly consistent with other retail and consumer demand indicators.”

Toyota and Holden remain unchallenged in their respective one and two positions on the sales charts. While it is Ford’s turn to hold the number three mantle from Mazda.

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Formula 1 Holden McLaren Motorsports

VIDEO: TeamVodafone Bathurst F1/V8 driver swap

Here’s a short film from TeamVodafone about yesterday’s F1/V8 driver swap at Bathurst. It’s a high quality production, too, so make sure you check it out.

[Source: Speedcafe]

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Formula 1 Holden McLaren Motorsports

Jenson Button & Craig Lowndes drive F1 car around Mount Panorama, Bathurst

F1 car at Bathurst

Today represented a once in a lifetime experience—the chance to witness a Formula One car lapping the legendary Mount Panorama circuit in Bathurst. It was a chance the AUSmotive Editor was unwilling to let slip.

Shortly after arriving at the track the 2008-spec McLaren MP4-23 showcar fired into life in its pit garage. It was a sign for me to go to the top of the mountain. The section from the Cutting to Forest Elbow is what makes Mount Panorama so special, and it was here I wanted to see the F1 car in anger.

The Esses proved to be one of the better vantage points and after a bit of a wait Jenson Button finally came out for a single installation lap. There was another slight delay of 10–15 minutes before he came back out to complete his flying laps. Button’s quickest time, recorded unofficially, was 1:48.3—some 18 seconds faster than the current V8 Supercar lap record, coincidentally held by Lowndes.

I felt the sensation of speed would be greater across the top of the Mountain at McPhillamy Park and moved there for the rest of the laps.

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Formula 1 Holden Motorsports

TeamVodafone confirms Bathurst driver swap

The TeamVodafone V8 Supercar website has confirmed the planned promo event at Mount Panorama, Bathurst is all set to go ahead next Tuesday, 22 March. The event will start at 11am and features five time Bathurst winner Craig Lowndes and 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button.

Both men will drive their own car around the legendary 6.2km circuit during the event. After a lunch break Lowndes will take to the track in a McLaren MP4-23 F1 car, while Button will do laps in the Holden Commodore V8 Supercar.

Entry is open to the public and a gold coin donation will be collected to go towards the Queensland and Victorian flood appeals. It’s sure to be a once in a lifetime, which is exactly why AUSmotive will be there to see all the action.

[Source: TeamVodafone]

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Holden Hyundai Subaru Toyota VFACTS reports

New vehicle sales report – February 2011

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You can tell it’s not been a great month for new vehicle sales when less than a handful of companies issue press releases. That’s certainly been the case with February’s sales, which fell 1.6% on 2010 numbers.

FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar is talking things up, though, claiming private buyers are out in force, “Sales to private customers increased 4.1 per cent during February to total 39,776 units—outselling business and fleet purchases. This is an encouraging indicator of the market and reflects a strong level of economic confidence.”

Toyota, Holden and Mazda retain their positions as the top three selling marques.

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Holden Top Gear

Jeremy Clarkson drives TeamVodafone V8 Supercar

Jeremy Clarkson and James May are in Australia for their Top Gear Live tour and to welcome them down under Craig Lowndes took them for a bit of a drive.

The promo event took place at the Holden Driving Centre in Norwell, Queensland. Clarkson was also granted some time of his own behind the wheel of Lowndes’ 888 Commodore declaring it, “The most perfect car without getting too technical. It’s heaven to drive a car like that. I thought it was epic.”

There’s two more clips after the break as well.

[Source: Speedcafe | Thanks to Mark & Ryan for the tip]

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