Top selling cars: 1982, 92, 02, 12

[Brazen]

Interesting article
http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/t...509-2j8ye.html

In 1982 the Ford Falcon was the highest selling car in Australia.
Vehicle sales figures for the past four decades give a stark indication of the changing face of the Australian car market.

Sales of cars produced in Australia have plummeted, while imported small cars and utes have muscled their way to the pointy end of the sales charts.

Drive has compiled figures for the top 10 selling vehicles across four decades - in 1982, 1992, 2002 and 2012 – using data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the 2013 Australian Automotive Intelligence yearbook.

Only two cars - the Toyota Corolla and Holden Commodore - appear in all four lists. And where locally made cars dominated the top ten in the '80s and '90s, they have fallen off the radar since the turn of the century.

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Many of the nameplates would be foreign to the all important younger generation, or Gen Y; the Mitsubishi Sigma, Ford Laser, Holden Gemini and Toyota Corona to name a few.

The other alarming change is how few cars need to be sold to sneak into the list of top sellers.

In 1982 the top selling Falcon sold 84,184, almost double that of the top selling Mazda3 from 2012 - despite the market almost doubling in the same period.

In 1982 the top sellers were all traditional sedans, hatchbacks and wagons, whereas in latter decades the massive growth in ute sales - brought about partly because of the mining boom and the acceptance of dual cab utes as family cars - has seen the likes of the Toyota HiLux and Nissan Navara come to the fore.

Despite our seemingly endless love of four-wheel-drives and SUVs only in one of the years we detailed - 1992 - does an SUV infiltrate the top 10 list.

Toyota's LandCruiser has always been popular but has seen its once dominant market share decline as more models have arrived.

The segment we now know as SUVs has also changed markedly. Whereas once they were basically off-roaders used by farmers or adventurers, these days most are soft-roaders used as family trucksters.

And not much has changed so far in 2013, with the Mazda3, Corolla and HiLux again topping the sales charts. However, the Cruze has edged up ahead of the Commodore, on track to become the first Holden to outsell the Commodore since it went on sale in 1978.

1982
Ford Falcon - 84,184

Holden Commodore - 78,429

Mitsubishi Sigma - 42,210

Ford Laser - 40,069

Nissan Skyline - 34,048

Holden Gemini - 27,501

Toyota Corolla - 22,916

Holden Camira - 20,843

Toyota Corona - 19,000

Nissan Stanza/Sunny/Pulsar - 14,662

1992
Ford Falcon - 67,044

Holden Commodore - 63,511

Mitsubishi Magna - 34,009

Toyota Camry - 25,699

Toyota Corolla - 23,825 (up 2)

Ford Laser - 18,960 (down 2)

Toyota LandCruiser - 17,235

Nissan Pulsar - 15,358

Toyota HiLux - 14,697

Mitsubishi Lancer - 9605

Holden Rodeo - 8749

2002
Holden Commodore – 88,478 (up 1)

Ford Falcon – 54,629 (down 1)

Toyota Corolla – 34,948 (up 2)

Toyota Camry – 30,592

Holden Astra – 29,536

Toyota HiLux – 22,515 (up 1)

Mitsubishi Magna – 21,258 (down 4)

Mitsubishi Lancer – 18,646 (up 1)

Ford Falcon Ute – 17,883

Nissan Pulsar – 16,258 (down 4)

2012
Mazda3 - 44,128

Toyota HiLux - 40,646 (up 4)

Toyota Corolla - 38,799 (up 1)

Holden Commodore - 30,532 (down 3)

Holden Cruze - 29,161

Hyundai i30 - 28,348

Toyota Camry - 27,230 (down 4)

Nissan Navara - 26,045

Toyota Yaris - 18,808

Ford Focus - 18,586

[Trump]

Falcon was moving 7000 units a month... simply wow.

[Resurrection]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

Falcon was moving 7000 units a month... simply wow.

And Australia's population was a lot smaller in 1982. If there was a linear correlation between population and Falcon sales, Ford would be selling over 100,000 Falcons a year. So in real terms, Falcon sales are down more than 80% compared to 1982.

NB - If Ford was selling more than 100,00 Falcons a year, the model's future would be safe and it could continue as a locally designed, locally built model.

[302 XC]

Interesting list,perhaps a sign of the times ???
Lets get some lists together for other purchases and compare
Mowers,electrical appliances, furniture
Im betting any aussie products that were once big sellers,wouldnt even make a mention on a top 100 list
Wonder who once bought a victa mower,and now doesn't ???
Or who once bought an aussie build Greenfield ride on,that now doesn't ???

[Whitey-AMG]

It's Ford Forums.......but
Credit where credit is due. The Dunnydore has held it's own for such a long time, Holden have done a remarkable job of keeping its mainstream product alive and kicking. It's stats like these that make you cry for the Falc.......

[Raysie]

Originally Posted by ESP

It's Ford Forums.......but
Credit where credit is due. The Dunnydore has held it's own for such a long time, Holden have done a remarkable job of keeping its mainstream product alive and kicking. It's stats like these that make you cry for the Falc.......

That's the confusing part though...

Why has the Commodore (Although still selling less) been able to keep up? While the Falcon has tattered away?

I'd understand if today's Falcon was a POS on wheels. But it's a brilliant car with world class standards.

What does everyone put the Falcon's problems down to? It can't all be blamed on more competition, as the Commodore seems to be hanging in there.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Raysie

That's the confusing part though...

Why has the Commodore (Although still selling less) been able to keep up? While the Falcon has tattered away?

I'd understand if today's Falcon was a POS on wheels. But it's a brilliant car with world class standards.

What does everyone put the Falcon's problems down to? It can't all be blamed on more competition, as the Commodore seems to be hanging in there.

Public perception...

The AU by lots of accounts was a brilliant car, yet the styling wasn't agreeable with most...then the BA came out with the blander/safer styling, yet had some short comings in its quality. Then as soon as the sales drop off, the media digs its fangs in...badgering the name furthering damaging perception.

That, and Holden have always managed to keep the Australian aspect fresh on peoples minds...

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Public perception...

The AU by lots of accounts was a brilliant car, yet the styling wasn't agreeable with most...then the BA came out with the blander/safer styling, yet had some short comings in its quality. Then as soon as the sales drop off, the media digs its fangs in...badgering the name furthering damaging perception.

That, and Holden have always managed to keep the Australian aspect fresh on peoples minds...

This is simply not true.

The AU Falcon is second in total units built only to the XF, interestingly the EA is third...

XF-3.5yrs 278k built 80k per year
AU-4yrs 235k built 59k per year
EA-3.5yrs 223k built 65k per year

Admittedly the AU had a longer production run but...

When you look at sales per year it shows AU wasn't really shunned there either, when you consider the sales success that VT was at the time.
EF- 95k per year
XF- 80k per year
XB- 70k per year
EA- 65k per year
EB- 60k per year
EL- 65k per year
AU- 60k per year

If anything it was EL that saw a 30k sales slump.

[93EB_SXR6]

Originally Posted by Raysie

That's the confusing part though...

Why has the Commodore (Although still selling less) been able to keep up? While the Falcon has tattered away?

I'd understand if today's Falcon was a POS on wheels. But it's a brilliant car with world class standards.

What does everyone put the Falcon's problems down to? It can't all be blamed on more competition, as the Commodore seems to be hanging in there.

Price vs. competitors has been the Falcon's main killer.
Price of fuel probably also has something to do with it.

[K_Man]

I think that period when Ford released the AU hasnt helped. All of a sudden Holden could do no wrong, and started to create every variant you could think of (AWD coupe and crewman comes to mind) and the public just lapped it up. HRT was dominating the v8sc too. Now, especially a lot of people that perhaps werent old enough to drive back in the late 90s are growing up to buy more commodores.

Media hasnt helped either, how much was in the news about Holdens billion dollar baby compared to the FG? Its becoming much the same as the beat up about the 380, noone wants to buy a car that will disappear soon.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Raysie

That's the confusing part though...

Why has the Commodore (Although still selling less) been able to keep up? While the Falcon has tattered away?

Falcon has always been one of the better looking and more modern cars on the road but Falcon lost it with FG, BF was getting awfully long in the tooth and the FG was a real disappointment looking too similar, it never recovered.

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Falcon has always been one of the better looking and more modern cars on the road but Falcon lost it with FG, BF was getting awfully long in the tooth and the FG was a real disappointment looking too similar, it never recovered.

No

It's called choice....
More choice has diluted the market and given buyers a hell of a lot more to look at. It doesn't mean FG is a bad car....on the contrary....
There are just way too many funky small cars around now that can and do attract a much more varied audience. The fact is.....falcon hasn't been competing with its traditional rival commonwhore for a decade now....it's been competing with a plethora of global rivals that offer better value for money in the eye of the buyer.

Where Ford has missed the boat is in its ability to find a substitute quick smart. Holden saw it coming and have the Cruze....i see these damned things everywhere...theyre like a plague. WTF do Ford have that will sell in droves.

[buggerlugs]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Falcon has always been one of the better looking and more modern cars on the road but Falcon lost it with FG, BF was getting awfully long in the tooth and the FG was a real disappointment looking too similar, it never recovered.

Got to disagree on that one. The day Ford bought out the AU. It went downhill from there. I'll never forget my first look at the new model when it was released. Butt ugly and every bloke you spoke to said the same thing. And it was downhill after that. Look at the figures once the AU was released.............
I thought they were back in the park with the BA. When I first laid eyes on the BA XR8 with raised bonnet I thought the styling was sensational. Even the XR6 was awesome. I still think they are..........

[The G6ET Spot]

Originally Posted by Raysie

That's the confusing part though...

Why has the Commodore (Although still selling less) been able to keep up? While the Falcon has tattered away?

I'd understand if today's Falcon was a POS on wheels. But it's a brilliant car with world class standards.

What does everyone put the Falcon's problems down to? It can't all be blamed on more competition, as the Commodore seems to be hanging in there.

It all comes down to marketing and public perception.

There is no denying the fact that Holden's marketing department does a great job of advertising their product.
And since the mid to late nineties Ford has been taboo in a lot of the publics eyes.
Irrespective of how good the car is.

[ford man xf]

The BA/BF was the highest selling 6 cylinder sedan in Australia, Ford even put an advert in the Herald Sun regarding this, it's only when you add up the other Commodore derivatives such as station wagons, V8's etc. that the Commodore comes out on top. Now is a very different story though, the market for larger sedans still exists, but people have moved away from the Falcon and as a lot of people on here will say the station wagon is now the Territory.

[mik]

people have been tightening their wallets to be sure, regardless of higher wages, a lot of people have less disposable income and have taken the the cheaper alternatives, commodore sales have been on a downward scale too.

[Nikked]

Lets not make this a AU bashing thread...

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Lets not make this a AU bashing thread...

AU bashing threads often seem to be triggered by someone posting a "AU was the best and everything since is inferior" or similar statement.

If you start it do not expect to be protected.

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Lets not make this a AU bashing thread...

But its ok for you to have a less than positive opinion on the BA - with its bland safer styling and quality issues......wtf ?

Truth be told.....all models have their issues.

[last fairlane]

Quite a few years back I posted about the then brand new FG
and said something along the lines of it looks the same as a BF
I also said that Mitsubishi did the same thing and nearly went broke over it
they made the new at the time Sigma look exactly like the old one
but just with panels that were 20mm bigger all round
which made the car bigger but look the same
it doesnt work people need
a new car to look new
facelifts are fine
but a brand new model has to look the part
re the AU bashing
Im the opposite
I have two cars
an AU Fairmont
and a BA Ghia
and I find the AU nicer to drive
just my thoughts
thanks John

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by last fairlane

Quite a few years back I posted about the then brand new FG
and said something along the lines of it looks the same as a BF

I agree & guess who has just launched a new small car that is nearly identical to the old one?? VW!! Mark this post & come back in 3-4 years & see how they struggle with this new model! I’ve already mentioned this once & got shot down, so no need to shut again!

Whilst I love the FG (& own one) & can pick a BA/BF from a FG from a mile away, the very very very first thing I thought when I first saw the FG, was “it look still a BF”.

And


Nissan Stanza = Great times, my Dad owned an orange one of these!!

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by ESP

But its ok for you to have a less than positive opinion on the BA - with its bland safer styling and quality issues......wtf ?

Truth be told.....all models have their issues.

All I did was point out some minor aspects of them...

Hence "lots of accounts was a brilliant car" and "had some short comings in its quality"

Styling wise, the AU did make the BA blander in comparison...hence a bit safer. Its a shame that the public was wooed by the VT...with its design dating back to 1994...The BA was more "likeable", and the sales show, the BA gained ground again, and IIRC, even pulled in front of the Commodore for a few months.

No car is perfect, and the BA did do a lot to boost Fords perception about performance...the simple addition of the Turbo and FPV range did wonders for the brand. The tie in with FPR and the V8 supercars was a masterstroke, seeing BA01 do a lap around Bathurst, and Lownde's Green eyed monster wetted the appetite. There was also a focus on building up the merch market at this time too. The I6 was given a wonderful overhaul, a truly world class engine.

To top it off, we got the territory as well...

the BA era is probably one of the most fondly remembered, a full on assault on the market...

Then we get the FG...leaps and bounds above the BF, all the little details are there...world class, great quality and styling.

[uniacidz]

Initially and still do, the Ford marketing team regarding the BA BF and FG models simply didnt capture the markets anymore whilst Holden did advertise and saw results.

Also Ford discontinued the wagon, Holden redeveloped it to a sporty looking wagon that does look good.

The market also has changed so much in the last decade.
Citys are heavily populated, small cars zip around easier and park easier, and alot of persons whom migrated to Australia just want a car and its usually that smaller one.

SUVs hit the market with a force, soccor mums and dads went away from the falcons to things that look decent and can carry all the kids and luggage etc and can go on trips wherever with ease.

Thats the jist of it anyway i reckon

[Brazen]

Nearly every review back in 2008 mentioned how similar looked like BF

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor...217-1438w.html

http://www.motoring.com.au/reviews/2...falcon-xt-6293

http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and...worth_the_wait

But it should change next year:

http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2013...-chapter-34294

Stung by plunging large-car sales and criticism the FG looked too similar to the BA that preceded it, the 2014 Falcon will – like its opposite number at Holden – feature an all-new interior and a radically different EVOS concept-style front-end design comprising a new bonnet, headlights, grille, bumpers and wings, as suggested in these artist renderings.

[Nikked]

The BF3 was designed too lead in to the FG...im sure the FG was all but locked in and prototypes built.


Its a bit odd that the money was spent on the upgrade though...I guess it just needed a freshen up to deal with the VE...

[Brazen]

AU did quite well against the VT juggarnaut. The VT was a hugely popular car, and Holden was very aggressive with fleets as well - even designing the wagon to Telecom Australia specs.

Anyway FG has no one to blame but its self for its current sales issues

[UberKnee]

One incorrect inclusion of a car that wasn't listed as being sold in Aus doesn't mean the entire list is wrong. Australia aren't as dumped on as some believe. Things could be much worse, its just that in the good old days the government did all the could to limit Ford/Holdens competition, ensuring they had the monopoly so of course they sold incredibly well. things have loosened up now though so their numbers drop.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by UberKnee

One incorrect inclusion of a car that wasn't listed as being sold in Aus doesn't mean the entire list is wrong. Australia aren't as dumped on as some believe. Things could be much worse, its just that in the good old days the government did all the could to limit Ford/Holdens competition, ensuring they had the monopoly so of course they sold incredibly well. things have loosened up now though so their numbers drop.

Actually list out all of the models not just the the marques.

It has been publicly acknowledged by the car industry and governments both here and in the US that Australia has one of if not the largest choice of motor vehicles in the world.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by flappist

Actually list out all of the models not just the the marques.

It has been publicly acknowledged by the car industry and governments both here and in the US that Australia has one of if not the largest choice of motor vehicles in the world.

Some of them sell the same cars as what we have here...the others ar not even in competition with the regular Ford buyer spectrum...


"Not buying a falcon, want a Marcos instead"

[Nikked]

This is a list of the Makes in Australia...48

Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Caterham
Chrysler
Citroen
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Ford
FPV
Great Wall
Holden
Honda
HSV
Hyundai
Isuzu
Jaguar
Jeep
Kia
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lotus
Maserati
Maybach
Mazda
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Morgan
Nissan
Peugeot
Porsche
Proton
Renault
Rolls Royce
Saab
Skoda
smart
Subaru
Suzuki
Toyota
Volkswagen
Volvo...


America: 45...


Acura
Audi (USA)
BMW of North America
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Eagle
Ferrari
Ford
General Motors Corp.
Global Electric Motorcars, LLC
GMC
Honda
Hummer
Hyundai
Infiniti
Isuzu
Jaguar (USA)
Jeep
Kia Motors America
Lamborghini
Land Rover of North America
Lexus
Lincoln
Lotus
Mazda (USA)
Mercedes-Benz (USA)
Mercury
Mitsubishi Motors USA
Nissan USA
Oldsmobile
Peugeot
Pontiac
Porsche (USA)
Regal (Buick)
Saab
Saturn
Subaru
Suzuki
Toyota (USA)
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Volvo of North America


Does not include the actuall models sold, and cases where (for example) Scion products are sold under Toyota here...and America's population is 311,591,917 compared to 22,620,600 for Australia...