New Car Sales Achieve A Record September Result

[csv8]

NEW CAR SALES ACHIEVE A RECORD SEPTEMBER RESULT

5th October, 2010
Strong sales across most segments have resulted in a record monthly sales result for September and prompted the industry to upgrade its annual forecast to more than one million units.

Official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showed that 85,054 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in September, up 8.9 per cent (or 6,923 vehicles) on the same month in 2009.

"This is a great result and posts a new monthly high for September," FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

Today's result eclipses the previous September monthly record set in 2005 by 584 units.
"It is encouraging to see that sales to private buyers recorded the largest increase this month (up 14.2%) which is further evidence of renewed confidence in the marketplace," Mr McKellar said.

"Given the continued strength of the market in recent months, the industry has revised its annual sales forecast to more than one million sales - up from the previous projection of more than 980,000," Mr McKellar said.

"The Australian market has only twice recorded a market with more than one million sales so this will be quite an achievement," he said.

The SUV segment was the strongest performer during September, recording an increase of 36.3 per cent; followed by passenger cars (up 3.1 per cent) and then light commercials (up 1.7 per cent).

Toyota was the top selling marque in September with 16,185 sales; followed by Holden with 10,718 then, Mazda with 8,850 units.

Year-to-date, 780,720 vehicles have been sold, an increase of 14.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2009.

For further information:
James Goodwin
Media & Communications Manager
james.goodwin@fcai.com.au
02 6229 8221

[Wretched]

Top selling cars for september 2010:
1. Commodore 3674
2. Corolla 3520
3. Mazda3 2871
4. i30 2496
5. Cruze 2383
6. Falcon 2344
7. Camry 1955
8. Getz 1789
9. Lancer 1614
10. Yaris 1488
11. Forester 1406
12. Barina 1325
13. Captiva 1317
14. Mazda2 1281
15. Prado 1253
16. RAV4 1160
17. Golf 1149
18. Territory 1093
19. Swift 1021
20. Fiesta 911

[bobthebilda]

The biggest problem for the australian manufacturers tho, is that the large car segment has once again taken the biggest hit. Down nearly 10% year on year for the month.

2010 2009 difference
Large 8,034 8,763 -729

Maybe The Territory was able to grab some of the gains in the SUV Medium.

SUV Medium 6,592 5,197 1,395

[Polyal]

Yeah as much as it pains me to say I think families are (or already have) moving to a SUV + small/medium car.

I still believe in the falcon, but Ford better come out swinging with the I4T and LiLPG because these are the things that will save it.

"If" you can get a large family car to drink less, even though they are pretty good now, then why would you get a smaller car?

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Top selling cars for september 2010:
1. Commodore 3674
2. Corolla 3520
3. Mazda3 2871
4. i30 2496
5. Cruze 2383
6. Falcon 2344
7. Camry 1955
8. Getz 1789
9. Lancer 1614
10. Yaris 1488
11. Forester 1406
12. Barina 1325
13. Captiva 1317
14. Mazda2 1281
15. Prado 1253
16. RAV4 1160
17. Golf 1149
18. Territory 1093
19. Swift 1021
20. Fiesta 911

No Hilux??

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by csv8

Toyota was the top selling marque in September with 16,185 sales; followed by Holden with 10,718 then, Mazda with 8,850 units.

Ford outside top 3

[Jason[98.EL]]

holden has to be a tad worried now wouldn't they

1. Commodore 3674
2. Corolla 3520

only 154 difference corolla could take the crown soon

[dannyhilton]

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

No Hilux??

Going by the list, no commercials have been included in this list. Mazda appears to have taken the third spot from Ford too. Hopefully not a sign of things to come, but their range is very good, and importantly their SUV/CUV range is very good, which they are cashing in on. Ford on the other hand has the decrepit Escape, and the ageing Territory. Fix these cars and Ford should retain the third spot. Way to go Fiesta too, 911 sales!

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by Jason[98.EL]

holden has to be a tad worried now wouldn't they

1. Commodore 3674
2. Corolla 3520

only 154 difference corolla could take the crown soon

Holden wont allow it. Expect to see a few thousand dollars wiped off the price of a commodore this month.

[mrbaxr6t]

but who has the fattest profit margin on their cars I wonder.... if "profits" influenced this list my bet is it would be completely different..

[Road_Warrior]

I'm pleased to see the Territory and Fiesta's numbers but the Falcon...geez. Camry is knocking on your door.

Those lame 'Ford of course' TV ads are doing no favours in the face of what its competitors are doing.

[vztrt]

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...005-1657p.html

Car sales to top 1 million Jez Spinks
October 5, 2010 - 12:37PM

Record September vehicle sales has the market on track to crack 1 million sales for only the third time.

An increasingly confident Australian car industry has forecast more than one million new-vehicles for 2010 after a record September.

September was a record sales month for new cars, with Australians purchasing 85,054 new vehicles last month - an 8.9 per cent increase over the same period in 2009. The result brings the year's total to 780,720, a year on year increase of 14.5 per cent that has encouraged the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries to lift its sales expectation from 980,000.

"It is encouraging to see that sales to private buyers recorded the largest increase this month (up 14.2%) which is further evidence of renewed confidence in the marketplace," said FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar.

"Given the continued strength of the market in recent months, the industry has revised its annual sales forecast to more than one million sales," he said. "The Australian market has only twice recorded a market with more than one million sales so this will be quite an achievement."

Four-wheel-drive-style wagons, or SUVs, were again the biggest segment performers, with the high-riding wagons rising by 36.3 per cent compared with just 3.1% for cars and 1.7% for light commercials.

Compact SUVs were the biggest-growing segment by some margin, with a 53.8 per cent jump compared with this time last year.

Medium-size (+26.8%) and luxury SUVs (+20.4%) occupied second and third; small cars were the best result for passenger cars (+9.2%) and they remain the nation's most popular vehicle type.

Toyota notched up its ninth consecutive month of 2010 as the best-selling brand, though Mazda had a notable September after dislodging Ford for third place. Mazda3 sales of 3878 contributed significantly to a year on year sales increase of 22.5%, though the figure wasn't enough to prevent Holden's Commodore (4038) from securing another No.1 spot.

The Commodore almost sold double the number of its arch rival, the Ford Falcon, as the blue oval endured a tough month following recent anniversary celebrations to mark the 50th year of the Falcon. Ford's monthly sales dipped 1.6 per cent, making it one of 13 unlucky brands to record negative growth for the month.

2010 will be the third time in four years that the car industry has record more than one million sales if the FCAI's forecast proves accurate.

[vztrt]

Hmmm can't wait till coyote is online.

[irlewy86]

If half of all medium SUV buyers are buying diesel, Territory numbers are going to surge big time. If not crack the top 10.

[aussie muscle]

You can see by those numbers why Ford won't axe the falcon atm, when the next best Ford is waaayy down the list.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Top selling cars for september 2010:
1. Commodore 3674
2. Corolla 3520
3. Mazda3 2871
4. i30 2496
5. Cruze 2383
6. Falcon 2344
7. Camry 1955
8. Getz 1789
9. Lancer 1614
10. Yaris 1488
11. Forester 1406
12. Barina 1325
13. Captiva 1317
14. Mazda2 1281
15. Prado 1253
16. RAV4 1160
17. Golf 1149
18. Territory 1093
19. Swift 1021
20. Fiesta 911

I'm not sure these are right, when you look at the "age" article.. Unless the age article is wrong?

[outback_ute]

Originally Posted by vztrt

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...005-1657p.html

"The Commodore almost sold double the number of its arch rival, the Ford Falcon"

Talk about being loose with the facts, Commodore sales were 56% higher than Falcons...

1093 Territory's doesn't seem like a great result compared with the heyday of ~2000 sales per month, but compared with the Prado at 1253 for a new model it is a great result.

Polyal - years back we did a rough calc of the running cost difference between a LPG Falcon and a Corolla, the on-road side of things (fuel, servicing, tyres etc) was pretty close but the capital cost of the car (finance/depreciation) was a huge difference. Aside from the difference in purchase price the depreciation of the Falcon was the main issue.

Having said that I think Ford should be more worried about having only 3 vehicles in the top 20, especially with two as 18th & 20th places.

[FNQracing]

Hmmm, not good for Falcon at all. But... I wonder how much Falcon sales are stolen by the Territory? Put those two together and you have are within cooee of Commodore/Corolla.

Still, Ford have the best Falcon ever, and with all the 50th Anniversary models out, I'm surprised they didn't get close to Commodore. Nowhere near it. Not good at all.

[FNQracing]

Just looked at the numbers again, more Cruzes than Falcons. I have lost faith in the car buying public! The i30 I can understand, but the Cruze? C'mon Australia!

[XWGT]

Originally Posted by outback_ute

"

1093 Territory's doesn't seem like a great result compared with the heyday of ~2000 sales per month, but compared with the Prado at 1253 for a new model it is a great result.

.

Hate to be pedantic but Prados price STARTS where Territory stops......and keeps heading over the $100k mark for the all singing all dancing model.

Mind you the new Prado is damn good ( I should know, I bought 2) but to see it at that sales level considering its price probably reflects more on the Territory lack of a diesel as someone pointed out earlier.

[Road_Warrior]

So Falcon's sales actually went backwards, year on year??

I don't think concerns about its fuel consumption are the issue here, there has got to be another reason people aren't buying these cars.

[Brazen]

Commodore actually sold 4038, it dosnt seem as threatened by the Corolla or Hilux as it used to a couple of years back.

Falcon sales will dip as the wagon comes off line (probably around 400 a month) many companies are buying them up big to last them the next few years.

Territory is doing well, I wonder how the utes go? They add volume to the sedan range. I think VFACTS should list the Falcon ute and sedan together afterall they are both Falcons.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Falcon sales will dip as the wagon comes off line (probably around 400 a month) many companies are buying them up big to last them the next few years.

Do you mean "have" dipped?? surely you can't be saying another 400 cars will drop from Falcon going forward making for high teen sales at this current rate?

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Do you mean "have" dipped?? surely you can't be saying another 400 cars will drop from Falcon going forward making for high teen sales at this current rate?

The last one was built last week, they will still be a lot in the system which are to be registered or in the process of being registered. I dont know if sales will drop massively as its been talked that the wagon being dropped will free up production?

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

So Falcon's sales actually went backwards, year on year??

I don't think concerns about its fuel consumption are the issue here, there has got to be another reason people aren't buying these cars.

Yeap and it isn't hard to see why as you look over the old threads on this site. Terri will also struggle to meet its former sales numbers, even with a diesel as it tries to live down the reputation that Ford Australia happily gave it, with their save a buck on build costs, save another on warranty and loose five on sales thinking.

If the new Falcon engines prove to be problem children, then Ford Australia might as well call it a day, as FG is already struggling to live down the BA series reputation. These engines will need to be exceptional. Not good - exceptional. The media will tear them apart if they aren't and Ford should be well aware of that by now.

Hopefully someone at Ford Australia isn't thinking that the brand sinking into the sunset, isn't the telly ad's problem, but instead that they keep screwing their reputation with the public by not backing and fixing their products, when they go wrong - not several years later or not at all, as they seem to prefer now. They might also want to fix the six speed auto issues too, before that becomes common knowledge and kills more sales. Oh and the dealer network was due for an overhaul in 1977.

Honestly I have met people on depressants who are less suicidal then Ford Australia management. Everything that is happening to the brand in Australia is entirely predictable and sadly entirely preventable, if their corporate culture would allow it.

Dan

[bobthebilda]

The figures do seem to be askewed depending on what article one refers to.

http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/new...september_2010

Sounds like whilst the commodore wins the title, but Mazda 3 is the one thats rakes in the money. Looks like soon we will be comparing Falcon sales to Aurion sales LOL

The last one was built last week, they will still be a lot in the system which are to be registered or in the process of being registered. I dont know if sales will drop massively as its been talked that the wagon being dropped will free up production?

Not sure if there is a great need to free up production, when you have capacity to make 260 cars a day, but you are only selling 2300 falcons, 1000 territorys and 800 (a guesstimate) utes. 4100 cars (plus 10% more for export). 4500 cars / 21 working days =214 cars a day.

[FNQracing]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Yeap and it isn't hard to see why as you look over the old threads on this site. Terri will also struggle to meet its former sales numbers, even with a diesel as it tries to live down the reputation that Ford Australia happily gave it, with their save a buck on build costs, save another on warranty and loose five on sales thinking.

If the new Falcon engines prove to be problem children, then Ford Australia might as well call it a day, as FG is already struggling to live down the BA series reputation. These engines will need to be exceptional. Not good - exceptional. The media will tear them apart if they aren't and Ford should be well aware of that by now.

Hopefully someone at Ford Australia isn't thinking that the brand sinking into the sunset, isn't the telly ad's problem, but instead that they keep screwing their reputation with the public by not backing and fixing their products, when they go wrong - not several years later or not at all, as they seem to prefer now. They might also want to fix the six speed auto issues too, before that becomes common knowledge and kills more sales. Oh and the dealer network was due for an overhaul in 1977.

Honestly I have met people on depressants who are less suicidal then Ford Australia management. Everything that is happening to the brand in Australia is entirely predictable and sadly entirely preventable, if their corporate culture would allow it.

Dan

Excellent post. Ford Oz have only themselves to blame for their poor image of late. They seem to think the Aussie public will put up with second rate build quality and pathetic after sales service. I have a gut feeling that too many people have been burned in the past to ever reconsider going back to Blue Oval.

You know its bad when even Hyundai have overtaken Ford Oz for build quality and reliability.

My BiL, after being a die hard Ford nut for years, bought a Territory and sold it at a great loss less than 12 months later, desperate to get rid of it. Rust, ball joints, cheap plastic. Felt like it was going to fall to bits.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by FFOracing

My BiL, after being a die hard Ford nut for years, bought a Territory and sold it at a great loss less than 12 months later, desperate to get rid of it. Rust, ball joints, cheap plastic. Felt like it was going to fall to bits.

Why is this a surprise? In 04, my XR6 was just under $40k on road. I can pick one up now for $35k or less ... around $10k LESS than it should be going for if it was selling now as it was then.

Per unit, thats a hell of a hit to the dealers and the manufacturers bottom line. So how do they offer up new models for this sort of money? By skimping where they can ... build, servicing, warranty.

As the volume of Falcons declines, this will only get worse. Its an economic reality.

The only thing that can possibly save Ford long term is raise the quality bar, and make the running costs cheaper. This means a significant investment not in more power, but in lighter construction, more fuel-efficient engines etc.

I cant help but question Ford's investment in Coyote... it was a luxury spend. They need to be working on getting private buyers back in a Falcon again. A V8 with more power than Holden may have worked 10-20 years ago, but the goalposts have moved. How many V8s do they sell??

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by b0son

I cant help but question Ford's investment in Coyote... it was a luxury spend. They need to be working on getting private buyers back in a Falcon again. A V8 with more power than Holden may have worked 10-20 years ago, but the goalposts have moved. How many V8s do they sell??

FPV invested in the motor. They run their own budget. Also the motor if exported will be a success for FPV. As for V8 sales I guess HSV is shutting up shop.

[Windsor220]

Back when the FG was released we were whinging that 3000 was rubbish. Now the Commodore is almost scraping that level.