VFacts Jan 2010

[vztrt]

Motor sales back in business

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2576BF00154E8B

Residual tax breaks and tariff cuts help to boost new-vehicle sales by 11.6 per cent
3 February 2010
By RON HAMMERTON
STRONG business demand and widespread price reductions courtesy of New Year import tariff cuts propelled Australian motor vehicle sales to 74,864 units last month – up 7785 vehicles or 11.6 per cent on January last year, official VFACTS sales figures revealed today.

Business sales were up a massive 34.8 per cent in January – a month usually regarded as relatively quiet for fleet buying activity – as many business buyers collected vehicles bought before the December 31 deadline for accelerated tax depreciation incentives offered by the federal government.

The January figure was still nine per cent short of January 2008’s 82,270 units, but the start to 2010 might have been higher except for stock shortages after record demand in December.

SUVs, light commercial vehicles and luxury cars led the charge last month, with SUV sales up 25.8 per cent and light trucks up 18.4 per cent. While business-friendly large luxury car sales rose 110 per cent, overall passenger car sales volumes grew by a more modest 5.5 per cent.

The local manufacturers were helped by improved sales of large cars, with Ford Falcon (up 42.2 per cent), Holden Commodore (up 5.9 per cent) and Toyota Aurion (up 31.3 per cent) sharing the spoils in the improved business environment.

The rise and rise of Hyundai continued, its range garnering 67.7 per cent more sales in January, to a January record 6730 units or 8.3 per cent market share – up from 5.5 per cent in January last year. The Korean importer had no fewer than four models making gains of more than 100 per cent compared with January last year.

Toyota continued its five-year reign at the top of the sales charts, with its sales jumping 8.5 per cent year on year to 14,564 vehicles. However, its market share slipped below 20 per cent for the first time since October 2005, to 19.5 per cent.

GM Holden made up ground in second place, increasing sales 19.5 per cent to 10,468 vehicles for a market share of 14 per cent – the first time it has reached these heights in any month since December 2008.

Holden’s Korean imports – Barina, Captiva and Cruze – all made major contributions to Holden’s improved performance.

The Captiva (1421 units) was Australia’s top-selling SUV for the month, while the Cruze small car (2218 units) came third in the top-selling small-car segment behind Mazda3 (3223 units) and Toyota Corolla (2711).

Sales of the Barina light car grew 58.9 per cent over January last year, to 1379 units, to take third place in the category behind Hyundai’s evergreen Getz (1717 units, up 27.5 per cent) and Toyota Yaris (1562 units, down 0.2 per cent). Ford’s Fiesta continues to make impressive headway from a low base on the back of strong advertising, up 71.8 per cent to 962 units.

Holden’s executive director of sales and marketing John Elsworth said the sales momentum witnessed in December appeared to have carried on into the New Year.

“We’re planning a big year and this is a fantastic start,” he said.

Medium cars again lagged the field, despite rises by Toyota’s dominant Camry (up 5.9 per cent to 1201 units) and Subaru’s new Liberty, which jumped 37.1 per cent to 654 units, pushing the Mazda6 (553 units, down 19.7 per cent) to third place.

The booming SUV market continued its roll, with all sub-segments – compact, medium, large and luxury – putting on weight. SUVs now account for 22.6 per cent of the total market, while passenger cars have now slipped to below 60 per cent.

Subaru’s Forester again dominated the compact field, with 1205 sales (up 1.4 per cent), ahead of the Toyota RAV4 (852) and a rampaging VW Tiguan, which almost tripled its sales volume – up 276 per cent – to 809 units.

The powerful medium SUV zone was won by the Holden Captiva (1421 units, up 24.5 per cent), from Toyota duo Prado (1144 units, up 10.4 per cent) and Kluger (941, up 8.3 per cent).

Large SUV sales leapt on good performances from the segment-leading Toyota LandCruiser Wagon (633 units, up 18.8 per cent) and Nissan Patrol (220 units, up 18.3 per cent.

Whiles sales of 4x2 utes were largely static – up just 0.6 per cent – volumes of the favoured 4x4 variety shot up 22 per cent.

Toyota’s Hilux again crunched the opposition in both 4x2 and 4x4 sales for total sales of 2997 units, making it Australia’s third best-selling vehicle behind Commodore and Mazda3.

While sales of the Holden’s locally made Ute were up 14.8 per cent to 752 units, Ford’s rival Falcon Ute took a hit, down 8.2 per cent to 479 units, probably because of stock shortages after a huge month in December.

However, Ford will be happy that its overall sales matched the growth in the market, with only a 37.6 per cent slump in sales of the aging Focus a cause for major concern.

Of the luxury car-makers, the German marques blitzkrieged the luxury market, with Mercedes-Benz (up 58.3 per cent), BMW (up 43.6 per cent), Audi (up 22.8 per cent) and Porsche (up 59.8 per cent) driving up all prestige segments with new models such as the Mercedes-Benz E-class.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Andrew McKellar said the strong result would provide a confidence boost heading into 2010.

“Business purchases remained strong in January with some buyers taking delivery of vehicles ordered last year under the federal government’s business tax break,” he said.

“New-car affordability is better than ever and has been further enhanced by the tariff cut on many imported vehicles.

“New-car buyers have effectively been handed a ‘tax cut’ and many brands have moved quickly to reduce prices or increase vehicle specifications.

“As a result, it is expected that this will encourage private buyers to return to the marketplace in greater numbers throughout the year.”

Toyota Australia senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner Toyota’s order bank was “strong – and growing – and our dealer confidence is high".

Top ten brands in January:
Rank Make Volume Variance (%)

1 Toyota 14,564 +8.5%
2 Holden 10,468 +19.5%
3 Ford 6730 +11.8%
4 Mazda 6658 +1.9%
5 Hyundai 6208 +67.7%
6 Nissan 4144 +10.2%
7 Mitsubishi 4040 -1.2%
8 Subaru 3260 +7.8%
9 Honda 3006 -40%
10 Volkswagen 2337 +9.8%

[XR Martin]

Be a sad day when Hyundai outsells Ford.

[outback_ute]

Edit - never mind, was Dec 09 figures still...

[Brazen]

The top ten selling cars for the month were: Holden Commodore (3241), Mazda3 (3223), Toyota Hilux (2997), Toyota Corolla (2711), Ford Falcon (2318), Holden Cruze (2218), Hyundai i30 (2116), Hyundai Getz (1717), Mitsubishi Lancer (1588), Toyota Yaris (1562).

Cruze only 100 units behind Falcon, just wait till Aussie Cruze production starts, hatch comes on line (half of all Corollas and Mazda3 are hatches) and the LPG version is released. Add to the 400 Falcon wagons (included in the 2318 Falcon amount) that Ford will stop making and I think Cruze could be a potential regular top 3.

[Windsor220]

Why have things turned bad for Ford all of a sudden? I remember last year Ford was getting close to Holden and was pushing to overtake them in overall sales. Now they're almost 4000 behind.

Not good sales for Commodore there. Or Falcon.

[Brazen]

Looking at the results it is now obvious more than ever the C segment (Focus, Mazda3, Cruze, Lancer, Corolla, etc) are the future of big selling cars in this country.

[Archilino]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Cruze only 100 units behind Falcon, just wait till Aussie Cruze production starts, hatch comes on line (half of all Corollas and Mazda3 are hatches) and the LPG version is released. Add to the 400 Falcon wagons (included in the 2318 Falcon amount) that Ford will stop making and I think Cruze could be a potential regular top 3.

IF holden decide to produce the cruze locally, remember production it has been delayed...

That today/tonight expose of the Captiva seems to have done more good than harm judging on those figures. Focus in freefall sadly, when does the next gen come here?

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Archilino

IF holden decide to produce the cruze locally, remember production it has been delayed...

That today/tonight expose of the Captiva seems to have done more good than harm judging on those figures. Focus in freefall sadly, when does the next gen come here?

The free electric sunroofs on Barina and Captiva I am sure are driving sales through the roof (pardon the pun). So many people including me love sunroofs.

Come on Ford, where is the sunroof on the Territory? Even on Ghia.

[jpd80]

In terms of annual sales, Ford are in danger of being passed by Mazda.
How embarrassing is that.

[DoreSlamR]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

Why have things turned bad for Ford all of a sudden? I remember last year Ford was getting close to Holden and was pushing to overtake them in overall sales. Now they're almost 4000 behind.

Not good sales for Commodore there. Or Falcon.

The buying public want cheap, poorly built Korean cars more then well built European cars I suppose.

Don't forget Holden's go better too, I guess that makes a difference

[Brazen]

Bring back the RTV.

[Fordman1]

Ford got caught with no stock on Several vehicles.

Territory
Fiesta
Ranger
Falcon

The market for January was huge (easily a one million vehicle year compared to 2009 by projection). Ford lost a lot of market share as a result.

They can't get Fiestas from Germany, Ranger is also has a supply problem, and go to your dealer and ask for a Terrritory and find out the waiting period.

I think Marin has a few issues to work through. If the market is up I think Ford may well struggle to keep share for quite a while

Don't forget they are also building to order and that they have just had 3 + weeks off.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

Ford got caught with no stock on Several vehicles.

Territory
Fiesta
Ranger
Falcon

The market for January was huge (easily a one million vehicle year compared to 2009 by projection). Ford lost a lot of market share as a result.

They can't get Fiestas from Germany, Ranger is also has a supply problem, and go to your dealer and ask for a Terrritory and find out the waiting period.

I think Marin has a few issues to work through. If the market is up I think Ford may well struggle to keep share for quite a while

Don't forget they are also building to order and that they have just had 3 + weeks off.

How come nearly every month it seems to be some supply issue? Whos in charge down there?

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Brazen

How come nearly every month it seems to be some supply issue? Whos in charge down there?

Good question...

Anyone know ?

[Windsor220]

I suppose this would explain why our holding yard at work(holden) is overflowing.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

Ford got caught with no stock on Several vehicles.

Territory
Fiesta
Ranger
Falcon

The market for January was huge (easily a one million vehicle year compared to 2009 by projection). Ford lost a lot of market share as a result.

They can't get Fiestas from Germany, Ranger is also has a supply problem, and go to your dealer and ask for a Terrritory and find out the waiting period.

I think Marin has a few issues to work through. If the market is up I think Ford may well struggle to keep share for quite a while

Don't forget they are also building to order and that they have just had 3 + weeks off.

Not meaning that Ford should have a huge stockpile but some vehicles on the grass would be good,
there are quite a few dealers hurting because walk-ins wanting a new Ford "today" and they can't supply.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

Not good sales for Commodore there. Or Falcon.

What are you talking about???? Falcon sales are up 42% on last year & up 85% from 2 years ago.. What more do you want?? This is a FANTASTIC result for Falcon!!

Originally Posted by jpd80

In terms of annual sales, Ford are in danger of being passed by Mazda.
How embarrassing is that.

Again I'm not understanding this comment?? Mazda is only up 1.8% from last year & Ford is up 11.8% form last year.. So Ford has done a better job this year in January than Mazda!

Also Ford had that 3rd best increase from last year (+11.8%).. Only beaten by Hyundia (+67.7%) & Holden (19.5%).. What more do people what??

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Brazen

How come nearly every month it seems to be some supply issue? Whos in charge down there?

They cant build enough cars to meet demand.. its not just a simple case of just "build more"....

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

They cant build enough cars to meet demand.. its not just a simple case of just "build more"....

Then why are they giving away G6 LE for 36990 driveaway?

[snappy]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Then why are they giving away G6 LE for 36990 driveaway?

Im guessing because , that ^^ is creating the demand

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Again I'm not understanding this comment?? Mazda is only up 1.8% from last year & Ford is up 11.8% form last year.. So Ford has done a better job this year in January than Mazda!

Also Ford had that 3rd best increase from last year (+11.8%).. Only beaten by Hyundia (+67.7%) & Holden (19.5%).. What more do people what??

Put those figures in perspective:
First month only but Mazda is a mere 72 sales behind Ford.
January 2010 sales:
1 Toyota 14,564 +8.5%
2 Holden 10,468 +19.5%
3 Ford 6730 +11.8%
4 Mazda 6658 +1.9%



It's still early days but if Mazda's 2, 3, 6, CX-7, CX-9 and BT trucks fire
and Ford's products remain subdued, they could jump Ford and go to No.3.

[Smoke Pursuit]

They could build more if they wanted.. They use to build more in the early BA / SX days.. Some dealers dont even have cars for test drives, its dia times for Falcon / Territory at dealer level. Focus / Fiesta are okay as they are off the wharf, but i dunno why Ford shuts for so long over christmas, most other business work thru, its about time Ford did the same.

[dannyhilton]

Go the Fiesta. That looks like the best month ever for the Fez? Bout time people started to realise how good a car they are. Now if we can keep up the momentum we can start hitting the thousands.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by bfiipursuit

, but i dunno why Ford shuts for so long over christmas, most other business work thru, its about time Ford did the same.

Probably not up to Ford.
Suppliers, transport, manufacturers etc all shut down which is beyond control of Ford.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Put those figures in perspective:
First month only but Mazda is a mere 72 sales behind Ford.
January 2010 sales:
1 Toyota 14,564 +8.5%
2 Holden 10,468 +19.5%
3 Ford 6730 +11.8%
4 Mazda 6658 +1.9%



It's still early days but if Mazda's 2, 3, 6, CX-7, CX-9 and BT trucks fire
and Ford's products remain subdued, they could jump Ford and go to No.3.

And this time last year Mazda was infront on Ford!!! So Ford has gained a place year on year!!

How long does Holden close down for overx-mas??

[naddis01]

Is it possible to find out how many Fiesta Econetics have been/were sold?

[prydey]

holden obviously did a pretty good job masking the fact that the cruze is a rebadged daewoo. bloke at work has one on order. i asked him today when he gets his daewoo. he gave me a glare and told me its a holden. i assured him the badge was the only thing holden on it.

he wouldn't be alone. i would imagine a large % of cruze buyers think they are buying a holden, and possibly even an aussie one at that.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

Why have things turned bad for Ford all of a sudden? I remember last year Ford was getting close to Holden and was pushing to overtake them in overall sales. Now they're almost 4000 behind.

Not good sales for Commodore there. Or Falcon.

I wonder if the little 'FWD Falcon' media circlejerk last month had anything to do with it.

In any event, I'm seeing a lot of excuses but little in the way of real reasons for such an awful month, especially when you look at the ute for example. 479 units is an absolute disgrace.

If supply is such an issue then they need to rectify this little conundrum. Not much good for Marin Burela to keep dribbling to motoring journos about his increasing market share when your own dealers can't even get stock.

[Joe5619]

PLEASE READ THE NUMBERS!!! THIS WAS A GOOD MONTH FOR FORD!!!

Falcon up 42%
Ford up 11.8% (And 3rd highest increase in market)
Ford increased from 4th brand (last year) to 3rd (This year) for January.

THERE IS NO NEED FOR EXCUSES, IT WAS A GOOD MONTH!!!

[US kills Falcon]

Originally Posted by prydey

holden obviously did a pretty good job masking the fact that the cruze is a rebadged daewoo. bloke at work has one on order. i asked him today when he gets his daewoo. he gave me a glare and told me its a holden. i assured him the badge was the only thing holden on it.

he wouldn't be alone. i would imagine a large % of cruze buyers think they are buying a holden, and possibly even an aussie one at that.

He isn't. A female cousin purchased a brand new Holden Barina. I also used the line 'how's the new Daewoo going?". She had no idea it is built by GM-DAT in South Korea. Must go better because of the Holden badge on it......

I would like to know the split between the FG sedan and VE sedan because the VE wagon is clearly killing the BF wagon.