VFacts November 2013

[Road_Warrior]

Prelim commentary from Drivel and numbers from Dowlstick

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor...202-2yllp.html

The Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon led a sales bounce by Australian-made cars in November to give the struggling industry some rare good news as it presents to the Productivity Commission about ongoing financial and regulatory assistance.

The Falcon and its Territory SUV offshoot experienced their best sales for 2013, according to still secret sales figures obtained by Fairfax Media, while Holden’s VF Commodore continued its strong showing on the back of the major model update and associated marketing push.

The figures will no doubt be a relief to Ford Australia president Bob Graziano, who last week reaffirmed his commitment to local production until October 2016, which is the date the company said it would shut the doors of its Broadmeadows manufacturing line after almost a century of vehicle production.

“Our intent is to continue manufacturing in Australia until October 2016, which should allow the industry to transition at that point,” he told Drive last week.

“That still remains the intent and we’ll continue to move that way. We’ve got the refreshment coming up next year for both Falcon and Territory and we’re progressing with that work as well.”

Production capacity at Ford’s Broadmeadows factory has fallen to 148 vehicles per day – a 30 per cent reduction on last year’s manufacturing figures.

Asked whether he expects a ramping up of production to coincide with the updated Falcon and Territory models, Graziano said: “again it will be dependent on the demand from the marketplace”.

With about 3100 sales the Commodore, a long time former top seller, still managed only the fifth best-selling position behind a trio of small cars – the Toyota Corolla (3890), Mazda3 (3670) and Hyundai i30 (3160) - and the ever-popular Toyota Hilux ute (3370).

Once again, if Hyundai’s Elantra sedan shared its badge with the hatchback version of the same car – the i30 – the duo would be comfortably the best sellers for the month, with more than 4000 sales.

The relatively strong showing by the Falcon and Commodore – their sales are still a fraction of the lofty figures they achieved a decade or so ago – helped give Australian-made cars a comparatively healthy 12.6 per cent market share, the strongest for the year so far and well ahead of the 8.0 per cent low recorded in January.

Those sales are also certain to ensure locally-produced cars don’t drop below 10 per cent share for the first time, something that was on the cards prior to the November sales figures.

Despite industry predictions of a sales bounce following the failed Labor government bid to abolish favourable tax breaks on company vehicles, the new-car market slid further, with about 95,000 sales in November, compared with 98,347 for 2012.

But the 3 per cent drop hasn’t slowed the market from rocketing to another record sales year; in 2012 there were 1.11 million new vehicles sold and the 2013 sales volume is on target for about 1.13 million.

Mazda’s CX-5 was again the best selling SUV in November, with about 1700 sales, ahead of rivals such as the Toyota RAV4 (1560) Subaru Forester (1520), and Hyundai ix35 (1450)

Another strong performer includes the Mitsubishi Triton, which slipped into the top 10 seller list (1700 sales) courtesy of a strong marketing campaign.
Following concerns about quality Volkswagen also experienced a sales boost, with sales for the month up 32 per cent.

VW’s sales were bolstered by a strong showing from the new Golf, which preliminary figures show was the seventh best-selling vehicle for the month, with almost 2100 sales.

Top sellers: Corolla (3895), Mazda3 (3665), HiLux (3365), Hyundai i30 (3160), Commodore (3100), Camry (2375), Ranger (2015), VW Golf (2070)

[Rob 351]

Just imagine how many more Falcons they could sell if dealers actually had some in stock!

[Gadgetman]

Originally Posted by Rob 18

Just imagine how many more Falcons they could sell if dealers actually had some in stock!

Just imagine how many falcons they would sell if half the people on this forums actually followed their passion and bought a NEW Falcon!!!

[duaned]

And were eager to sell them!

[stevz]

The top three cars (excluding Hilux) are vomit inducing rubbish. Incredibly sad that Australian buyers tastes have fallen to such terrible lows. A lot of fleet managers out there need a baseball bat to the head too.
Despite all the hype and carry-on about SUV's being the hottest thing out there, the actual figures don't really set the world on fire. A little exaggeration here I think.
Does anyone have Falcon and Territory numbers? Typical stupid media makes several references to Falcon/Territory sales yet they can't even provide the numbers.

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by stevz

The top three cars (excluding Hilux) are vomit inducing rubbish. Incredibly sad that Australian buyers tastes have fallen to such terrible lows. A lot of fleet managers out there need a baseball bat to the head too.
Despite all the hype and carry-on about SUV's being the hottest thing out there, the actual figures don't really set the world on fire. A little exaggeration here I think.
Does anyone have Falcon and Territory numbers? Typical stupid media makes several references to Falcon/Territory sales yet they can't even provide the numbers.

odd.... normally there bad mouthing Falcon/Territory numbers

[jpd80]

Oops, I nearly posted old figures....... time for new glasses....

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Oops time for new glasses.....

Amazing the difference between BT50 and Ranger! Same car, similar specs, 1 cheaper than the other! Proves that a good looks and marketing can override the actual sale price when crunch time comes. With fairly limited supply, even though it is way better than it has been in the past, it is doing well ...... as it should.

Just hope Falcon can make it all the way through to the end and continues selling OK! Broken record I know but wish it would be shown some respect from FoA.

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by stevz

The top three cars (excluding Hilux) are vomit inducing rubbish. Incredibly sad that Australian buyers tastes have fallen to such terrible lows. A lot of fleet managers out there need a baseball bat to the head too.
Despite all the hype and carry-on about SUV's being the hottest thing out there, the actual figures don't really set the world on fire. A little exaggeration here I think.
Does anyone have Falcon and Territory numbers? Typical stupid media makes several references to Falcon/Territory sales yet they can't even provide the numbers.

Car buyers will purchase cars based on whats best for them no more, no less. If that means you dont agree with their choice then so be it.
SUVs are BIG business, they are purchased hand over fist by PRIVATE buyers who dont need a 50% discount to get the ball rolling.

[1TUFFUTE]

Yeah where's the falcon n terri sales?

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Car buyers will purchase cars based on whats best for them no more, no less. If that means you dont agree with their choice then so be it.
SUVs are BIG business, they are purchased hand over fist by PRIVATE buyers who dont need a 50% discount to get the ball rolling.

Exactly, they purchase what THEY want and like, not what some moron on an internet thinks looks good and guess what, they do it with THEIR money. Plain and simple, if they want a Falcon or Territory they will buy one if the want a Mazda 3 they will buy it and so on and so forth.

[buggerlugs]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Exactly, they purchase what THEY want and like, not what some moron on an internet thinks looks good and guess what, they do it with THEIR money. Plain and simple, if they want a Falcon or Territory they will buy one if the want a Mazda 3 they will buy it and so on and so forth.

Amen brother, did you read that Stevz ?

[stevz]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Exactly, they purchase what THEY want and like, not what some moron on an internet thinks looks good and guess what, they do it with THEIR money. Plain and simple, if they want a Falcon or Territory they will buy one if the want a Mazda 3 they will buy it and so on and so forth.

Which makes it even harder to believe that people are willing to throw away hard earned money on something mediocre like a Mazda 3.

[csv8]

Noticed : "Holden marketing push" in Drive article. Wakey wakey Ford marketing Dept!!

[flooded one]

I'd love too see a new Falcon ad on TV..... I forget the last time I seen one on TV.

[Wretched]

Ranger doing well, would like to see Focus do better.
Mazda killing it with the 3, be interesting to see the figures when the new 3 is out. Good on them anyway, the 3 is a good car.

[Struggo]

When I picked up my car last Friday it was of three Falcons leaving the showroom that afternoon.

2 x G6ET
1 x G6E

[Road_Warrior]

*Sigh.*

[Gadgetman]

Ford have been very proactive with moving local product. They have the friends program, supplier's program. They and their dealers are trying their best at a face to face level to make it hard for customers to say no. Its a great time to buy local. Let's get around it cause they are great cars.
On Friday and Saturday night, I drove a BMW 330i Convertible cause of the weather and on Sunday I swapped it for a SZ Territory titanium petrol. The ride quality of the territory just brilliant in comparison

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Gadgetman

The ride quality of the territory just brilliant in comparison

The great shame of Broady closing will be we lose this great car.

[stevz]

It is easy to see why just about every automotive brand in the world has been falling over each other to establish themselves in Australia - They are here to cash in on the stupidity of Australians, who shun excellent locally made vehicles in favour of whatever mediocre imported garbage is dished out to them - Completely opposite to what the rest of the world is doing.

[Express]

Originally Posted by stevz

They are here to cash in on the stupidity of Australians, who shun excellent locally made vehicles in favour of whatever mediocre imported garbage is dished out to them - Completely opposite to what the rest of the world is doing.

I agree with some things you say especially about supporting local manufacturing but I’m not overboard and therefore will pull you up by saying you shouldn’t just pluck something out of the air and use it as fact in an argument just because it may have been the case in years gone by.

Go to the US and Canada and have a look at what they drive.

Barely a GM, Ford or Chrysler in sight in the cities, mainly a mix of Jap and an amazing amount of German cars. Even the taxis are now predominately Prius.

Head out into the sticks and especially the mountains and if it’s not Rams and F Trucks it’s imported large SUV’s and 4X4’s.

Aussie aren’t the only “stupid” ones turning away from the local brands.

I haven’t been to the UK in 10 years but when I was, there were a hell of a lot of small Euros getting around. Maybe someone who’s recently been could add what they’ve seen on the roads.

I’m a big believer in the local product but I also buy foreign because if you don’t give the buyer what they want, the buyer won’t want you.


I actually think the local products are holding up pretty well in sales given the enormous amount of competition they have. You can't always be number one.



.

[Gadgetman]

Originally Posted by Express

I agree with some things you say especially about supporting local manufacturing but I’m not overboard and therefore will pull you up by saying you shouldn’t just pluck something out of the air and use it as fact in an argument just because it may have been the case in years gone by.

Go to the US and Canada and have a look at what they drive.

Barely a GM, Ford or Chrysler in sight in the cities, mainly a mix of Jap and an amazing amount of German cars. Even the taxis are now predominately Prius.

Head out into the sticks and especially the mountains and if it’s not Rams and F Trucks it’s imported large SUV’s and 4X4’s.

Aussie aren’t the only “stupid” ones turning away from the local brands.

I haven’t been to the UK in 10 years but when I was, there were a hell of a lot of small Euros getting around. Maybe someone who’s recently been could add what they’ve seen on the roads.

I’m a big believer in the local product but I also buy foreign because if you don’t give the buyer what they want, the buyer won’t want you.


I actually think the local products are holding up pretty well in sales given the enormous amount of competition they have. You can't always be number one.



.

Agree. When I was in france, there were Peugeots, Renaults and Citroens everywhere. In Italy, there were heaps of Fiats, Looks like patriotism does exist but not as much in Australia.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Express

Go to the US and Canada and have a look at what they drive.

Barely a GM, Ford or Chrysler in sight in the cities, mainly a mix of Jap and an amazing amount of German cars. Even the taxis are now predominately Prius.

You do realize that Jap companies and Germans are building in the US. They just do it in the south. I also saw plenty of Chev and Ford cars when I was there last year.

[borough]

Originally Posted by stevz

It is easy to see why just about every automotive brand in the world has been falling over each other to establish themselves in Australia - They are here to cash in on the stupidity of Australians, who shun excellent locally made vehicles in favour of whatever mediocre imported garbage is dished out to them - Completely opposite to what the rest of the world is doing.

There is no Australian car company to get patriotic about. Of the 3 companies that manufacture here two are American and one Japanese.

[GQ_Smooth]

Originally Posted by borough

There is no Australian car company to get patriotic about. Of the 3 companies that manufacture here two are American and one Japanese.

100% on the money. Don't recall many Australians riding around in Holden coaches back in the day?

[stevz]

Originally Posted by borough

There is no Australian car company to get patriotic about. Of the 3 companies that manufacture here two are American and one Japanese.

Thanks for stating the obvious, but if you read my post properly you will see that I said 'Australian manufactured vehicles'.
Nowhere did I say dinky-di, true blue 100% Aussie owned.

[tezxr8man]

Originally Posted by borough

There is no Australian car company to get patriotic about. Of the 3 companies that manufacture here two are American and one Japanese.

these 3 keep more Australians in jobs than all the others put together, regardless of weather they are owned here or not. and two of them have been in our culture for nearly a hundred years. it's as Australian as we can get and will get.
So we are better of buying falcons commodores camry's Territories and cruzes than imported stuff that props up somebody elses economy and takes money out of ours

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

The great shame of Broady closing will be we lose this great car.

I don't see anything really replacing it either.

[Syndrome]

VF Commodore isn't selling as well as required.