Sales figures - April 2020

[Wretched]

I suspect Toyota completed the backorder of those RAV4s after severely underestimating (or cleverly planning) demand.

[naddis01]

RAM defies market and increases sales. The article says its an increase in sales of the Express with the smaller cab/larger tray. I feel it is more to do with the introduction of the Express crew cab (larger cab/smaller tray like the Laramie). It has more features, an interior that is actually inviting unlike the pov pack normal Express and room in the back seats for people with legs. It's now the sweet spot in the range.


https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/how...els_newsletter

How Ram avoided the new car market death spiral

By Andy Enright, 06 May 2020 News

How Ram avoided the new car market death spiral

When funds are tight, Australians turn to six-figure gas guzzlers. Go figure.
There's no place like chrome. That seems to be the take-away from the latest round of VFACTS sales figures.

While the rest of the market slumped 52.3 percent compared to last month, there was one standout performer: Ram trucks.

Only one other car manufacturer posted positive figures and that was MG. While it's easy to see why those feeling a little cash-strapped might turn to bargain basement Chinese vehicles, it's not quite so obvious why a six-figure, two-and-a-half-tonne chrome plated symbol of excess might be proving quite such a hit with Aussie buyers.

The numbers speak for the themselves though. In April 2020, statistically the worst month for new vehicle sales in Australia since VFACTS data commenced in 1991, Ram sold 178 of its monster pick-ups. That's up by 14.1 percent over last month and up by 27.2 percent year-to-date compared to last year. That's amazing given that the 4x4 pick-up market in general contracted by 39.2 percent last month. Talk about bucking a trend.

According to a Ram spokesperson, part of the reason the brand avoided the market-wide crunch is national pride, with the large pick-ups being converted to right-hand drive in Melbourne.

“It is pretty unprecedented times that everyone is trying to navigate,” they told Wheels.

“But it looks like consumers are voting with their feet, and supporting Australian manufacturing, which is great news for us. We are fully aware of the situation that we are all trying to deal with.”

It’s not hard to understand why the Ram 1500 is so popular. In short, it's a pretty good drive, it's well equipped and the $99,950 price point isn't exorbitant for the amount of gear and capability you get, right-hand drive 're-engineering' costs notwithstanding.

It's certainly not clear yet whether the government's instant asset tax write-off is having any effect on Ram's orders, an incentive originally scheduled to expire on June 30th.

Industry analysts have noted that the very people who stood to benefit the most from this scheme, namely sole traders and small businesses, were being treated as high risks by credit institutions and were finding themselves unable to take advantage of the incentive.

There is now a call by the Australian Automotive Dealers Association to extend the scheme for another 6-12 months.

One Ram dealer told Wheels that it’s likely the current wave of sales has been driven by the tax scheme, though the Ram spokesperson downplayed the incentive's influence on sales.

“Businesses are looking at how they can utilise that, but everyone’s personal financial situation is different, and we are not here to advise on taxation situations,” they said.

“If our customers can utilise that though, it is certainly beneficial.”

Deeper analysis of the numbers suggests that it is indeed trade sales that are driving Ram's growth.

While sales of the luxurious RAM 1500 Laramie model have tapered somewhat, the fewer-frills RAM 1500 Express (available in quad-cab form with a longer bed length than the crew-cab Laramie) has seen registrations grow by 101.9 percent compared to last month and by 49.6 percent compared to this point last year.

“Figures recently released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that 31 percent of Australian citizens have experienced a decrease in income due to the pandemic,” said Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries boss Tony Weber.

“In addition, 72 percent of Australian businesses reported that reduced cash flow is expected to have an adverse impact on business over the next two months," noted Weber.

“These conditions inevitably impact consumer confidence and purchase decisions.”

While the market as a whole makes for grim reading, with buyers clearly doing an effective job of distancing themselves from new car dealers last month, it's reassuring to see Australian engineering helping to create one of the rare success stories.

[Bossxr8]

They only sold 178. Let's put a bit of perspective on that here. It's still very small numbers.

A small fraction of the smaller utes. The way they talk it up it's like they are selling thousands of them per month. And they had the luxury of keeping production going, when pretty much all the other plants in the world have been closed for the best part of 2 months.

Well done to them, good to see some australian input. But let's not overblow it.

[Franco Cozzo]

Again I want to see the percentages of private sales vs ABN holders sales of the top 10 selling vehicles.

That'll give perspective on what is driving purchases.

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

They only sold 178. Let's put a bit of perspective on that here. It's still very small numbers.

A small fraction of the smaller utes. The way they talk it up it's like they are selling thousands of them per month. And they had the luxury of keeping production going, when pretty much all the other plants in the world have been closed for the best part of 2 months.

Well done to them, good to see some australian input. But let's not overblow it.

And yet the 1500 outsold every Ford vehicle except the Ranger.

With just a quick glance through the figures I'd say it's in the top 5 vehicles over say $70000, if not top 3.

[russellw]

The graphical stats for the month are now uploaded.

[Poetic Justice]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

They only sold 178. Let's put a bit of perspective on that here. It's still very small numbers.

A small fraction of the smaller utes. The way they talk it up it's like they are selling thousands of them per month. And they had the luxury of keeping production going, when pretty much all the other plants in the world have been closed for the best part of 2 months.

Well done to them, good to see some australian input. But let's not overblow it.

A decent number of the 178 would also be filling orders as well, no fresh sales.

This is the problem with some sales figures as they're "delivery figures" not a representation of how many people walked in the front door in that particular month.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by naddis01

And yet the 1500 outsold every Ford vehicle except the Ranger.

With just a quick glance through the figures I'd say it's in the top 5 vehicles over say $70000, if not top 3.

And people call for the Endura, Focus etc to be axed cause of those sorts of numbers.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Again I want to see the percentages of private sales vs ABN holders sales of the top 10 selling vehicles.

That'll give perspective on what is driving purchases.

Im baaaaaaaaaaaack

A sale is a sale at the end of the day.

I haven't noticed any real incentives to buy at the moment, still a couple of months away perhaps and if unemployment hits anywhere near 10% then look out.

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

And people call for the Endura, Focus etc to be axed cause of those sorts of numbers.

Maybe they should axe the RAM then along with all of the Ford range, except Ranger. Or maybe I'm just an optimist and thought it was worthwhile shining a light on one of the only positive stories amongst the doom and gloom. One that involves Australian manufacturing jobs to boot.

At the end of the day I think we all realise that while ever they are converted in Australia then they are only ever going to be a niche vehicle.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Again I want to see the percentages of private sales vs ABN holders sales of the top 10 selling vehicles.

That'll give perspective on what is driving purchases.

The Biggest Driver of Purchase decisions at The Moment is;

The Finance Industries lack of appetite for risk..

You basically have to prove you Don't need the money before they'll give It to You..

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by EDManual

Top 10 car brands in April 2020

Toyota: 10,325, down 31.8 per cent
Mazda: 3022, down 60.5 per cent
Kia: 2492, down 44.9 per cent
Ford: 2251, down 53.1 per cent
Hyundai: 2247, down 65.3 per cent
Mitsubishi: 1734, down 63.2 per cent
BMW: 1703, down 5.7 per cent
Holden: 1501, down 56.9 per cent
Nissan: 1468, down 51.5 per cent
Volkswagen: 1328, down 62.1 per cent

Surprised by the BMW result. I think I read somewhere that it was the first time they have been in the top ten. Police sales maybe?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Im baaaaaaaaaaaack

A sale is a sale at the end of the day.

I haven't noticed any real incentives to buy at the moment, still a couple of months away perhaps and if unemployment hits anywhere near 10% then look out.

I'm like a fly on ****, Ive got a hundred eyes everywhere

I'm curious if they have breakdown on this data, let's talk 2019 calendar year.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

They only sold 178. Let's put a bit of perspective on that here. It's still very small numbers.

A small fraction of the smaller utes. The way they talk it up it's like they are selling thousands of them per month. And they had the luxury of keeping production going, when pretty much all the other plants in the world have been closed for the best part of 2 months.

Well done to them, good to see some australian input. But let's not overblow it.

Adding to your comments Bossxr8, with the American factories that supply ASV closed, how long can they keep converting before they run out of vehicles.

And when the factories do start again, you can count on supplying Australia will be well down on their priority list.

Unless things change soon, I predict ASV Ram sales will decline.

Having said that, I actually like the Ram 1500, they sound great and make a nice change from the clatter clatter of the thousands of Ranger/Hilux/Triton ect. I see a lot of young tradies getting around in them.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by naddis01

Surprised by the BMW result. I think I read somewhere that it was the first time they have been in the top ten. Police sales maybe?

A demographic least affected by CV-19 work/income restrictions?

Think about who normally buys all the models that had big drops in sales

[Ben73]

That’s a whole lot of negative growth. So bad they might have to make up another oxymoron phrase

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by Ben73

That’s a whole lot of negative growth. So bad they might have to make up another oxymoron phrase

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hlQNlH8j6I

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Ben73

That’s a whole lot of negative growth. So bad they might have to make up another oxymoron phrase

'The other colour of green'

It's a train wreck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5JiPj9c98Y

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by hayseed

The Biggest Driver of Purchase decisions at The Moment is;

The Finance Industries lack of appetite for risk..

You basically have to prove you Don't need the money before they'll give It to You..

fingers taken off the scales:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f2kGHcdJYU

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by naddis01

Surprised by the BMW result. I think I read somewhere that it was the first time they have been in the top ten. Police sales maybe?

Probably because they are fudging numbers.

https://www.caradvice.com.au/848598/...et-registered/

Stand-by for a bargain on a BMW after hundreds of so-called demonstrator models were registered in April as the brand tried to reverse the industry’s record sales slide.

Anyone looking to buy a BMW on a budget could be in luck in a few months from now after the company registered hundreds of demonstrator models and company cars to help prop up its reported sales numbers in April.

A glut of low-kilometre near-new used cars are expected to flood BMW dealers in the coming months after being cycled briefly through the company’s head office.

It means that buyers will likely get a sharp deal on a low-kilometre demonstrator or ex-company car in the coming months.

The unintended consequence of such a large scale injection of these cars is that it will likely dent sales of brand-new BMWs over the same period.

Industry estimates claim BMW registered approximately 300 company cars and 400 so-called “demonstrator” models across its dealer network – accounting for more than 40 per cent of the vehicles it reported as sold in April – a much higher ratio than the industry norm.

Without these extra ‘sales’, BMW would have declined by about 45 per cent in April rather than by just 5.7 per cent.

While it did not confirm or deny the figures, BMW told The Australian newspaper that it reported fewer “demonsrator” models and company cars than the same month last year.

[au2000]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Probably because they are fudging numbers.

https://www.caradvice.com.au/848598/...et-registered/

Stand-by for a bargain on a BMW after hundreds of so-called demonstrator models were registered in April as the brand tried to reverse the industry’s record sales slide.

Anyone looking to buy a BMW on a budget could be in luck in a few months from now after the company registered hundreds of demonstrator models and company cars to help prop up its reported sales numbers in April.

A glut of low-kilometre near-new used cars are expected to flood BMW dealers in the coming months after being cycled briefly through the company’s head office.

It means that buyers will likely get a sharp deal on a low-kilometre demonstrator or ex-company car in the coming months.

The unintended consequence of such a large scale injection of these cars is that it will likely dent sales of brand-new BMWs over the same period.

Industry estimates claim BMW registered approximately 300 company cars and 400 so-called “demonstrator” models across its dealer network – accounting for more than 40 per cent of the vehicles it reported as sold in April – a much higher ratio than the industry norm.

Without these extra ‘sales’, BMW would have declined by about 45 per cent in April rather than by just 5.7 per cent.

While it did not confirm or deny the figures, BMW told The Australian newspaper that it reported fewer “demonsrator” models and company cars than the same month last year.

Not a new thing, every manufacturer does it, he'll my last 2 fords were 3999 code cars

[csv8]

Only 26 ZB Commodores left.
https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/hol...L98lKfrjlX9SR0

[naddis01]

From the article...

According to a dealer database, only 26 ZB Commodores remain unregistered by Holden

Keywords - remain unregistered by Holden.

[buggerlugs]

Contacted 4 different dealers via e mail to buy a new Twin Cab ute. Not 1 reply. They must be doing it tough .........................

[Poetic Justice]

Originally Posted by buggerlugs

Contacted 4 different dealers via e mail to buy a new Twin Cab ute. Not 1 reply. They must be doing it tough .........................

Don't suppose you started your email with "Can you give me your best price on...."

[buggerlugs]

Originally Posted by Poetic Justice

Don't suppose you started your email with "Can you give me your best price on...."

Nope, just asked for a changeover price on a 4 year old ute. About 20 photos, service records, etc.
Done the same thing 4 years ago and was inundated by replies.
Not this time. They all must be so busy................

[BENT_8]

Please don't think im directing this at you buggerlugs, but I don't even entertain emails or text messages when im trying to sell something these days, too many dreamers who'll hassle you from behind a keyboard and never show up.
I usually include in the ad, no emails or texts, just good old fashioned phone calls
I reckon if people are serious you'd just pick up the phone and ask...like we did in the old days.
I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't respond.

On the flip side, I was looking for some parts recently and found an ad which specifically asked for message replies, sent them a message enquiring if they had what I wanted, confirmed the parts and price, asked for address and time to pick up...crickets
Never heard a word for 4 days then get a message back asking if im still interested.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by buggerlugs

Contacted 4 different dealers via e mail to buy a new Twin Cab ute. Not 1 reply. They must be doing it tough .........................

They're Probably waiting on ALL the Wholesalers to get Back to them with a Price on your Trade...or that's How Truck Dealers Work....

[MercuryT]

Admittedly I haven't seen figures.

But Hilux and Corolla still great sellers I hear.

Starting to think the average Aussie buyer is blind.

[Vekgib]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

Admittedly I haven't seen figures.

But Hilux and Corolla still great sellers I hear.

Starting to think the average Aussie buyer is blind.

No. Apparently we're all boring.