Record March 2010 new car sales! - VFACTS

[Brazen]

From VFACTS

NEW VEHICLE MARKET POSTS RECORD MARCH RESULT

7th April, 2010

Strong sales across all vehicle segments has resulted in a record monthly sales figure for March, eclipsing the previous record set in 2007 by 352 vehicles.

Official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) shows that 94,744 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in March, up 25.2 per cent (or 19,094 vehicles) on the same month in 2009.

“This is an outstanding March result and provides further evidence that the marketplace is returning to pre-global financial crisis levels,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

SUV sales led the charge in March increasing by 44.1 percent, followed by passenger cars (up 23.5 per cent), heavy commercials (up 20.2 per cent) and then light commercials (up 12 per cent).

“Business sales show some signs of easing following the phase out of targeted tax breaks but it is pleasing to see renewed growth from private buyers,” he said.

“With warnings of further interest rate rises, private buyers should move to take advantage of the current rate levels,” Mr McKellar said.

Sales to car rental companies increased 331.5 per cent during March in line with increased tourism and business activity.

Toyota retained the top selling position in March, increasing its market share to 21.4 per cent; followed by Holden with 12.4 per cent and then Ford with 8.5 per cent.

Year-to-date, 251,827 vehicles have been sold – an increase of 38,857 vehicles (18.2 percent) compared to the first three months of 2009.

Be interesting to see the individual model breakdown.

[jpd80]

Top selling cars for March 2010
1. Holden Commodore 4209
2. Toyota HiLux 3935
3. Hyundai i30 3678
4. Mazda3 3562
5. Toyota Corolla 3555
6. Ford Falcon 2496
7. Mitsubishi Lancer 2245
8. Nissan Navara 2154
9. Holden Cruze 2125
10. Toyota Yaris 2114

Top selling brands for March 2010
Brand March 2010 sales Jan-March 2010 sales
1. Toyota 20,306 (51,684)
2. Holden 11,795 (33,476)
3. Ford 8092 (21,970)
4. Hyundai 7797 (21,213)
5. Mazda 7453 (21,114)
6. Nissan 6558 (15,298)
7. Mitsubishi 5556 (14,622)
8. Honda 4153 (10,261)
9. Subaru 3679 (10,217)
10. Volkswagen 3034 (8369)


In a near record month, Falcon only pulls 2496 sales, that's gotta be worrying....
There's only about 300 sales difference between N0.6 and N0.10 and if Ford
don't get going the Falcon may slip out of the top 10 by the end of the year..

[Wretched]

Hyundai only 295 units behind Ford this month.
About 700 or so behind in YTD.

[Quicksand]

And here come the usual responses:

-Ford have production levels set low at the moment but they could build more if they wanted to...
-At least Ford are turning a profit (are they?)
-Ford sell more private vehicles and less fleet so the second hand value is better these days
-Ford aren't focusing on market share at the moment
-The FG is getting old now so people dont want it
-There is a new V8 and model revamp coming so people are holding off
-etc etc etc blah blah blah

The same stuff every month. The excuses are running thin IMO.

[ThePistonHead]

Originally Posted by Inducted_Breeze

And here come the usual responses:

-Ford have production levels set low at the moment but they could build more if they wanted to...
-At least Ford are turning a profit (are they?)
-Ford sell more private vehicles and less fleet so the second hand value is better these days
-Ford aren't focusing on market share at the moment
-The FG is getting old now so people dont want it
-There is a new V8 and model revamp coming so people are holding off
-etc etc etc blah blah blah

The same stuff every month. The excuses are running thin IMO.

Agreed. Same thing was said before the FG launch.

Things are not looking good.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Inducted_Breeze

And here come the usual responses:

-Ford have production levels set low at the moment but they could build more if they wanted to...
-At least Ford are turning a profit (are they?)
-Ford sell more private vehicles and less fleet so the second hand value is better these days
-Ford aren't focusing on market share at the moment
-The FG is getting old now so people dont want it
-There is a new V8 and model revamp coming so people are holding off
-etc etc etc blah blah blah

The same stuff every month. The excuses are running thin IMO.

The VE is 2 years older yet still sells quiet well?

Ford have major dramas, the biggest however being supply ISSUES and the bad media lately with Egas issues, Territory balljoint issue etc.

The marketing is losing confidence in Ford.. FAST

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Inducted_Breeze

And here come the usual responses:

-Ford have production levels set low at the moment but they could build more if they wanted to...
-At least Ford are turning a profit (are they?)
-Ford sell more private vehicles and less fleet so the second hand value is better these days
-Ford aren't focusing on market share at the moment
-The FG is getting old now so people dont want it
-There is a new V8 and model revamp coming so people are holding off
-etc etc etc blah blah blah

The same stuff every month. The excuses are running thin IMO.

Who needs exsues?? Falcon is up for the month 25% from last year & up 22% YTD from last year.. This is a great result. Market share increase for the Falcon as well...

Commodore only up 16% for the month & YTD 14% from last year!!


Look at the numbers porperly boys & girlsm before you start saying Holden is doing better than Ford!!

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Who needs exsues?? Falcon is up for the month 25% from last year & up 22% YTD from last year.. This is a great result. Market share increase for the Falcon as well...

Last year was horrid, Gosh I hope it was the lowest point and Falcon is on the mend.
If we can relaunch XT, maybe with R6 Ute nose and 6-speed auto, maybe some fleet sales
come back and Falcon build numbers look better, we need to do something to boost sales...

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Last year was horrid, Gosh I hope it was the lowest point and Falcon is on the mend.
If we can relaunch XT, maybe with R6 Ute nose and 6-speed auto, maybe some fleet sales
come back and Falcon build numbers look better, we need to do something to boost sales...

OK, up YTD 20% from 2 years ago & when the FG was first lanched.. Best Falcon numbers for at least 2 years & best FG ever!!

Commodore down YTD 1% from 2 years ago.. And a massive increase in market share to the Falcon

Again look at the numbers porperly!!

Analysis of numbers is what I'm paid to do!!

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Who needs exsues?? Falcon is up for the month 25% from last year & up 22% YTD from last year.. This is a great result. Market share increase for the Falcon as well...

Well said....
Some people have no idea...I wish some of you would get over this pre-occupation you have with selling the most cars at any cost..
Its a totally flawed concept if you have to "buy" market share and loose money doing it: AKA Holden...
Ford don't have the manufacturing capacity of Holden, end of story, both operate with different fixed costs, Ford don't need to make as many cars as Holden do to cover fixed costs, and Ford have clearly stated a desire to maintain build rates that are efficient which means the greatest chance of a profit.

Ford have shown an increase in sales for the month and increase in sales YTD, a good result, in isolation and a great result if it means profitability.

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Well said....
Some people have no idea...I wish some of you would get over this pre-occupation you have with selling the most cars at any cost..
Its a totally flawed concept if you have to "buy" market share and loose money doing it: AKA Holden...
Ford don't have the manufacturing capacity of Holden, end of story, both operate with different fixed costs.

Ford have shown an increase in sales for the month and increase in sales YTD, a good result, in isolation and a great result if it means profitability.

everyone my friend, is fully entitled to their own opinion.

given the relatively fresh faced FG in comparison to the stone age faced VE, with plenty of time for people to get their head around what the FG has to offer, i would have predicted the Falcon sales to be far higher than this data indicates. I'm sure a lot of others would too.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

everyone my friend, is fully entitled to their own opinion.

given the relatively fresh faced FG in comparison to the stone age faced VE, with plenty of time for people to get their head around what the FG has to offer, i would have predicted the Falcon sales to be far higher than this data indicates. I'm sure a lot of others would too.

Agreed, but 75% of Commodore sales are to Fleets or leases!!!!
Fleet managers choose the cheapest cars, not necessarily the BEST cars....

Id love to see the figures for private sales of VE versus FG... i BET the FG would be ahead.

Fords model mix shift up the range is testimony to this.

[bafel]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Who needs exsues?? Falcon is up for the month 25% from last year & up 22% YTD from last year.. This is a great result. Market share increase for the Falcon as well...

Commodore only up 16% for the month & YTD 14% from last year!!


Look at the numbers porperly boys & girlsm before you start saying Holden is doing better than Ford!!

people can certaintly make percentage stats to work in their favour.

If ford sold 1 falcon next month, but sold two the month later they would have increased sales by 100% (but the margins are great!)

Personally i think ford are have entered the first stage of grief - denial.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by bafel

people can certaintly make percentage stats to work in their favour.

If ford sold 1 falcon next month, but sold two the month later they would have increased sales by 100% (but the margins are great!)

Personally i think ford are have entered the first stage of grief - denial.

Well, if Ford made a profit selling 1 Falcon next month, then I have no problems with it at all!! Will make the 2 month a massive profit number then!!!

And the end of the day, all these sales numbers are BS!! What they should show is the btm line (profit or loss) made by each company each month!! Also, in the world of finance qty sold is meaningless completely, only the sales/marketing department look at qty. In the finance department it is all about revene in dollors & cents.. I wonder how they all add up if we where to look at it this way? Market share in alot of industrys is also worked out on dollors & cents & not qty as in car sales industry..

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Inducted_Breeze

And here come the usual responses:

-Ford have production levels set low at the moment but they could build more if they wanted to...

And its been discussed in length as to why production levels are low, also how long it will take to up production. Its also been stated that nothing will be increased this year but O/T on Saturdays will be used instead. Wagon getting chopped can't come fast enough.

Also remember that that Geelong was shut down for 3 production days last month. The dealers are screaming for cars.

Originally Posted by Brazen

Also if you take out Falcon wagon, I doubt the Falcon would have been in the top 10.

hahaha, yeah right the whole 400 units (on a good month). Would have been better spent on the utes, terri's or sedans.

Originally Posted by 4Vman

So ditching the wagon will speed up and un complicate the line to allow them to build more sedans by themselves than the 2 combined?

Yes and now. Wagon was good as it was easier to put together then a Territory (which is a pain when they have them back to back down the line). But it will be cheaper as they save from buying wagon only parts and have more of parts that are spread over the Falcon/Terri range.

[Professor Farnsworth]

that's a disturbingly low amount of Falcons sold, and Commodore is back to the top. Just goes to show their marketing is still better, as the Falcon, one eyed view or not, is the superior car at this point.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

that's a disturbingly low amount of Falcons sold, and Commodore is back to the top. Just goes to show their marketing is still better, as the Falcon, one eyed view or not, is the superior car at this point.

See Prof, it's the same old problem:
Ford has Falcon + Ute + Territory
but Holden has Commodore + Sportwagon + Ute + Statesman/Caprice + Captiva

Instead of new Territory, invest money in a Falcon Sportwagon and use the
new Explorer, things may have been different but that is not our chosen path....

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by jpd80

See Prof, it's the same old problem:
Ford has Falcon + Ute + Territory
but Holden has Commodore + Sportwagon + Ute + Statesman/Caprice + Captiva

Instead of new Territory, invest money in a Falcon Sportwagon and use the
new Explorer, things may have been different but that is not our chosen path....

only the first three you metioned should be included in the Commodore list i'm talking about though, equal to Falcon's sedans, wagon, and ute

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

only the first three you metioned should be included in the Commodore list i'm talking about though, equal to Falcon's sedans, wagon, and ute

Sorry, I confused you,
Ford is not covering the Sportwagon sales and by funding the new Territory
has denied itself the use of new Explorer. Had they taken new Explorer,
they could have funded FG Sportwagon and increased product sales.

All I hope is that new Explorer sells about 2,000 to 2,500/month
otherwise head office will be asking serious questions about FoA
spending money on duplicate products...

[Smoke Pursuit]

No utes are included in those figures.. Utes are on their own.

[Brazen]

Wait till Holden brings out their rumoured dedicated LPG Commodore. Commodore is still selling really well considering its age and no visual updates.

Does anyone have the Territory's figures?

[Brazen]

Hyundai i30 third best selling car in the country!

Also if you take out Falcon wagon, I doubt the Falcon would have been in the top 10.

[Brazen]

On sheer numbers I would bet that more private buyers buy Commodore than Falcon, just seeing how many private people buy the Sportwagon makes me confident of this. On percentage terms it might be different as Falcons sell a lot less. Who knows.

Having no data means that I have no way of knowing for sure. As long as Ford is profitable that is the main thing.

[bobthebilda]

Its quite mind boggling, that someone would actually go out, and buy a car that was released 4 years ago. You can go to government auctions now, and pick up VE commodores for $16000 (with mid 30000K's on the clock), and they are basically the same cars that are being made now. It would seem to be a bad investment to buy a commodore for $36000 and being driving along the same car that was brought for 55% less.

[Brazen]

Like how the RTV was released with the BAII, I would love to see a new RTV with FGII to take some of those off-road ute sales.

[bobthebilda]

But thats just the problem with Falcon and Commodore. The may take market share from the other this month, they may have had a better market share against the other last year. But the big concern is that at 6700 cars for the month of March (minus utes), the Large car market in Australia only accounts for 7% of all vehicles sold in australia.

And to add to the question of efficiency, Imagine the benefits of pumping out 30,000 corollas a month (and sending 3600 to aus), compared to pumping out 2400 Falcons and 700 Territories.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

But thats just the problem with Falcon and Commodore. The may take market share from the other this month, they may have had a better market share against the other last year. But the big concern is that at 6700 cars for the month of March (minus utes), the Large car market in Australia only accounts for 7% of all vehicles sold in australia.

There are far more options now then even 10 years ago, the market is getting cut into smaller market segments all the time, the SUV has gone a long way to kill off the private large car segment..

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

And to add to the question of efficiency, Imagine the benefits of pumping out 30,000 corollas a month (and sending 3600 to aus), compared to pumping out 2400 Falcons and 700 Territories.

Yes but your facility has to be able to cope with those volumes too....
Different plants will have different efficiency "sweet spots" for daily production..
A plant that's efficient making 30000 cars a month wont survive on 3000 a month and conversely a plant designed to be efficient at 3000 cars a month can't possibly cope with making 30000 a month.
Even a 10% ramp up in production for a car plant takes many months to plan and implement.... its not as simple as just turning the dial up... and equally it would be a very stupid move to do it unless the sales were sustainable...

[GT450]

What a load of doom sayers we have on this forum at times. You can them because they don't sell enough vehicles , well my friends that's just market forces you can't make someone buy something they don't want. As 4v man says as long as they make a profit and stay in business that's a win in todays economy. Toyota are in front by a country mile but i would no sooner buy one of them than a dunnydore for my own transport but everyone has a choice and get over it if it's not the same as yours.
The same people here will criticise the next FPV for not having enough KWs when it is released but how many of you put your money where your mouth is and buy a new blue oval every few years. Well it's because of people like you and those who read your posts on forums like this that people may be turned off a particular vehicle. A lot of forum members ogle and envy some of the cars members drive and say so, some will never even get in one and denigrate them at any chance. Leave the Ford doomsaying for the Evil Empire and enjoy the fact that we still have cars we like, at least for the present. the glass is still half full.
Cheers
GT450

[GK]

Originally Posted by GT450

...enjoy the fact that we still have cars we like, at least for the present. the glass is still half full.
Cheers
GT450

Great post! Well said!

GK

[bobthebilda]

bfiipursuit, Holden stated in its previous profit and loss statements, that it was writing the costs of the VE development off over the three year period. That would fit into the scheme that a car model most times only runs for 3 years. Holden probably never foresaw that they would have to extend the lifespan of the VE, thus it would have been quite silly to be writing off the development costs for the VE, when they were making the VF.

If they are selling imports at a loss, then it looks even sillier to stop importing the cruze, and start making them in a higher cost country. Basically Holden need to sell each car for an extra $2000 to make a profit, however that may eat into sales. The government subsidies are biased towards inefficient higher sales, than to efficient low sales.