Commodre sells record V8's and Private Sales!

[sleekism]

http://www.fullboost.com.au/news.php?newsId=1678

GM Holden has finished 2007 with Australia’s best selling car for the 12th consecutive year, helped by record sales of V8 models.

More than 57,300 Commodores were sold in 2007, which was nearly 10,000 ahead of its closest rival. Strong sales of high end VE Commodore models such as SS, SSV and Calais V saw V8 Commodore numbers surpass the record of 10,982 set in 2003 by almost 500.

Sales of V6 and V8 Commodores to private buyers were also up an impressive 35% on 2006, reflecting a growing popularity of the new VE range among Aussie families.

GM Holden’s flagship WM Caprice became the best selling car in the Upper Large car segment (< $100K) in 2007 on the back of a 140% increase in sales and a 32% share. When combined with the other leading car in the segment - the WM Statesman - Holden claimed a 58% segment share.

The Captiva, launched in late 2006, proved another strong seller for GM Holden in its first full year of sales, ending the year as the third best selling model in the highly competitive Medium SUV segment. The introduction of a diesel variant in March proved popular with customers, with diesel accounting for more than half of Captiva sales in the last three months of the year.

The improved diesel engine in the Rodeo in March also proved attractive, with sales of Rodeo 4x4 diesels up 25% in 2007.

Overall, the year saw GM Holden sell 146,680 vehicles, delivering a 14% market share. Holden had the second highest sales overall, behind Toyota (236,647 sales and 22.5% market share), but well ahead of Ford (108,071 sales and 10.3% market share).

In the fiercely competitive passenger segment, Holden sold 104,848 vehicles in 2007 for a 17% market share. The new VE Ute is off to a strong start, with sales in December the best month for Holden Utes since June 2003. 2008 sees the launch of the next VE derivative, with the VE Commodore Sportwagon due out in the first half of the year. Holden Executive Director – Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alan Batey, today said Holden’s results showed the strategy of offering customers a wider range of performance and diesel options was being well received in the market.

“What better way to enter the 60th anniversary year of Holden’s first all-Australian car, and the 30th Anniversary of Commodore, than as Australia’s favourite car for an amazing 12th successive year.

“To achieve this against a backdrop of cheaper imports and even wider consumer choice makes it even more special. “With the VE range in particular we have a strong model mix and record V8 sales which shows that for many Australians, performance and handling are still at the heart of what many look for in their vehicles.

“And with the addition of VE Commodore Sportwagon in 2008, we’ll have even more for them to get excited about in the coming year.”

Bad luck for Ford. I await GMH's 2007 financial report though...