[EDManual]

for lazy people

The Holden Commodore has regained the lead in the year-to-date sales race after swapping places with the Mazda3 small car six times in the past nine months.

According to preliminary figures obtained by Motoring.com.au, the Commodore looks set to hold on to its title as Australia’s favourite car for the 15th year in a row.

The Mazda3 small car had an unusually poor month, with sales dipping to 2700 units after two strong months above 4000, during the runout of an old model and the introduction of a new model.

Sales of the Holden Commodore, meanwhile, were relatively stable, posting about 3700 sales.

This means that the Commodore went from about 400 year-to-date sales behind the Mazda3 to about 600 sales year-to-date ahead of the Mazda3.

The only thing likely to take the shine off the Commodore’s strong September showing is the fact that the Toyota Corolla small car pipped it by about 50 sales for the month, according to the preliminary figures.

The Corolla bounced back after supply improved following the interruption to production caused by the Japanese tsunami in March.

But the Commodore is likely to cruise to victory for 2011 as the Mazda3 is the only real threat to its title, and the boss of Mazda Australia has stated publicly that he’s not going to discount the car “just to chase a number”.

The official VFACTS figures are due out at midday on Thursday.