July 2006 new car sales

[Falcon Freak]

Another month is just about to finish. I am interested to see how many Commonbores will be sold considering the VE is due to go on sale in August.

FF

[vztrt]

Guess we'll know on Thurs.

[Falcon Freak]

Any early figures available?

FF

[Smoke Pursuit]

Been a bad month i believe.

[vztrt]

Sorry FF havent been able to scrounge anything up.
Doubt anything too big, but I know all the XR6 N/A were sold in July.

[rst2000]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Sorry FF havent been able to scrounge anything up.
Doubt anything too big, but I know all the XR6 N/A were sold in July.

any numbers available yet?

[mcnews]

Last Update: Thursday, August 3, 2006. 12:18pm (AEST)
Toyota dominates car sales
The latest car sales figures show Holden is holding its position as Australia's second-largest seller, while Mitsubishi is well back in fifth place.

Figures for July show Toyota continues to dominate.

It sold nearly 17,000 cars - nearly 5,000 ahead of Holden, Ford and Mazda.

Mitsubishi sold nearly 4,000 cars last month.

Overall, the figures show that fewer cars are being bought.

There is an increasing preference for small cars, because of high petrol prices.

[Dave_au]

4711 Corolla
4022 Commodore
3951 Ford Falcon.

Anyone got 380, Focus, Mazda 3, or Camry?

[TheSneakiness]

What I can't understand is why people are going for the smaller cars.

The engines need to do twice as much work as your average Falcon/Commodore to do the same thing. Meaning it uses as much fuel as a family sized car.

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

What I can't understand is why people are going for the smaller cars.

The engines need to do twice as much work as your average Falcon/Commodore to do the same thing. Meaning it uses as much fuel as a family sized car.

Corolla is a proven winner its renowned for reliability and re-sale is outstanding.
its costs $20,000 witch is $13,000 cheaper than a Falcon/commie.
Small cars have excellent fuel economy, cheaper tyres, insurance and servicing a 4cyl.
My wife drives a 4cyl yesterday she filled up $38, I filled up the F6 $85.

[TheSneakiness]

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

Corolla is a proven winner its renowned for reliability and re-sale is outstanding.
its costs $20,000 witch is $13,000 cheaper than a Falcon/commie.
Small cars have excellent fuel economy, cheaper tyres, insurance and servicing a 4cyl.
My wife drives a 4cyl yesterday she filled up $38, I filled up the F6 $85.

Bloody hell.

I had to fill my ute yesterday with petrol (having fuel issues), and it cost me $84 @ $1.26/litre for 95 RON.

I realise that they're cheaper in regards with tyres/insurance/servicing, but just as a pointer.

I recently went for a ride with my brother and his GF in her Bits-Are-Missing Lancer, and in 5th gear at 110km/h, it was sitting on 3500rpm. My ute sits on 2200rpm at 110km/h. This is where I'm coming from. That a 4 cylinder has to do more work than a family 6 to do the same thing.

I'm not saying they're bad cars, just mechanically, wouldn't you think that a stock 4 banger takes more of a beating than a stock 6 banger?

[Full Spectrum]

I agree with you on that, My sister has a Proton Gen-2, 5 speed manual, @ 100 it sits on 2500rpm, My car being only 4 speed sit on 1800rpm @ 100.
People who like some power but will buy a 4 cyl because it's cheaper on fuel in the end might use more then they think keeping up with traffic, Driving it harder as you say. Get into summer conditions and that fuel economy will be up by at least 3l/100 easy. Not so with a large car, (Brother drove to QLD last summer, A/C on Full got a full tank of 720km).

Half the new small cars don't come with options that you get standard on large cars anyway. And to top it off they give you the lights and sparkle treatment with it's under $50 for a full tank, Why because it's a 40 litre tank thats why

[Hally]

I have a 1.8 Mazda 323 Astina 95 speed manual) and a 4.0 EF Futura (4 speed auto).

I drive from Melbourne to Sydney on a regular occurance with both cars. At 110km the Mazda sits at 3500rpm and he Futura at about 2100rpm. Even though the Mazda is reving harder it still uses a lot less petrol. I get about 650km's from 45 litres in the Mazda, and 650km's from 65-68 litres in the Ford. Both always have the a/c on the whole trip.

Also, in relation to the Corolla, I think they are a horrible little car, but they are cheap!! For the last few months you can get one for $20k driveaway. Focuses, Astras etc are nearly $25k by the time you get them out of the dealership. $5k can be a big deciding factor when purchasing this type of car.

[TS50]

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

Corolla is a proven winner its renowned for reliability and re-sale is outstanding.
its costs $20,000 witch is $13,000 cheaper than a Falcon/commie.
Small cars have excellent fuel economy, cheaper tyres, insurance and servicing a 4cyl.
My wife drives a 4cyl yesterday she filled up $38, I filled up the F6 $85.

F6 wasn't empty then, mine took $106 yesterday, and the T3 $102 the day before
sigh

[ADSXR8]

Originally Posted by TS50

F6 wasn't empty then, mine took $106 yesterday, and the T3 $102 the day before
sigh

Yeah, but you have the ute, its got a bigger tank.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

What I can't understand is why people are going for the smaller cars.

The engines need to do twice as much work as your average Falcon/Commodore to do the same thing. Meaning it uses as much fuel as a family sized car.

Well if it's like last month the corolla's numbers were fleet numbers.

[Pieoter]

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

What I can't understand is why people are going for the smaller cars.

The engines need to do twice as much work as your average Falcon/Commodore to do the same thing. Meaning it uses as much fuel as a family sized car.

U can't beleive that. Look at the fuel consumption figures of small cars compared to large cars. I get 7L/100km driving around in sydney in stop start traffic and 4l/100km highway. Show me a family car that does that?

[Swaytan]

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

What I can't understand is why people are going for the smaller cars.

The engines need to do twice as much work as your average Falcon/Commodore to do the same thing. Meaning it uses as much fuel as a family sized car.

So when you & I are sitting in peak hour traffic, not moving, my 1.6 litre is working twice as hard as your V6 or V8?

Care to explain that one in more detail?

[MoreHPformyXR6]

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

What I can't understand is why people are going for the smaller cars.

The engines need to do twice as much work as your average Falcon/Commodore to do the same thing. Meaning it uses as much fuel as a family sized car.

Sure smaller 4cyl be it a Corolla or Swift etc does need to rev harder (work) at 110km than the average BA/BF Falcon VZ/VE Commodore. But you are still going to get better economy in the smaller car not by as much as some would think. Sure not as comfortable or relaxed on the long haul. But for most people living in metro area doing start stop driving and short trips. The economy gap grows between the smaller cars & the family sized sedan eg Falcon/Commodore/380.

[XR Martin]

What surprises me is that just about every other small car is better than the Corolla, in a recent Wheels test it came last out of eight cars.

It's all about perception!

Resale will be effected for Corolla once all those rental Corollas come back on the used car market.

[Full Spectrum]

People are being sucked in bad.

I can get about 455km average from 66lt in a 14 year old Commodore I'll have to try it on the highway one day again.
I wouldn't be surprised if our dim Sim friends buy 50% of the corollas

[blutura]

Originally Posted by SlickHolden

People are being sucked in bad.

I can get about 455km average from 66lt in a 14 year old Commodore I'll have to try it on the highway one day again.
I wouldn't be surprised if our dim Sim friends buy 50% of the corollas

there are plenty of reasons why people are buying small cars over large, and its not just about fuel economy:

Resale
- A 2006 Corolla can be bought for $19990 - $21990, a used 2003 Corolla with 50000-60000kms on it will still fetch $16000-$18000 EASY. Thats only a 20% loss in 3 years.

- Compare that with a 2006 Falcon that sells for $34000 - $36000, and then three years later is only worth $17000-$19000 with 40000-60000kms on it. Thats a 50% loss in value in 3 years.

Size
- If you live in an unit and not a house, the garage attached to the unit is usually pretty small. I own an EL Falcon and an AW11 MR2 and I park the Falcon on the street and the MR2 in the garage simply because if the Falcon is in the garage, I can hardly move in there, let alone use the work bench of anything else.

Parking
- A lot of people find it much easier to parallel park a small car than a large one, simple as that.

Reliability
- The Corolla has its reliable reputation for good reason, the damn things are nigh on unbreakable. I haven't got any complaints about my Falcon either, its been rock solid for me, but what I'm saying is reliability is not a reason to NOT buy a small Japanese car.

And finally, fuel economy IS a good reason to buy a small car. Yes, the Falcon can get down to the 8L/100km mark on the highway, loafing along at under 2000rpm, but my MR2 (which basically has a Corolla motor) gets 7L/100km buzzing along at 3800rpm on the highway.
But more importantly, around town, if I baby the Falcon, I can get 12L/100kms, but the MR2, even when being driven in anger, still returns 9L/100kms.

Ok, so big deal you say, its only an extra 3L/100kms. Well, lets say you drive 400kms a week around town. In the Falcon, that 400kms will cost you 48L, or $67.20 if ULP is selling at $1.40/L. In the 4 banger being driven hard, it will cost you 36L, or $50.40. If you drive a bit gentler, then you'll only need 28L, for $39.20 a week.

So over a year, the Falcon will cost you $3494.40 in petrol, $873.60 more than the MR2/Corolla/4 banger being driven hard, or $1456 more than the 4 banger driven gently.

If it sounds like I'm bagging the Falcon too much I apologise. I love my Falcon, I really do, but I just wanted to point out that people are not "being sucked in bad", but are simply choosing the vehicle that meets their needs.

I know that Orion is going to be just as big as the current Falcon, if not bigger, but I really would love to see the next all new Falcon after Orion scale back a bit.

The times, they are a changin'.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by blutura

And finally, fuel economy IS a good reason to buy a small car. Yes, the Falcon can get down to the 8L/100km mark on the highway, loafing along at under 2000rpm, but my MR2 (which basically has a Corolla motor) gets 7L/100km buzzing along at 3800rpm on the highway.
But more importantly, around town, if I baby the Falcon, I can get 12L/100kms, but the MR2, even when being driven in anger, still returns 9L/100kms.

Ok, so big deal you say, its only an extra 3L/100kms. Well, lets say you drive 400kms a week around town. In the Falcon, that 400kms will cost you 48L, or $67.20 if ULP is selling at $1.40/L. In the 4 banger being driven hard, it will cost you 36L, or $50.40. If you drive a bit gentler, then you'll only need 28L, for $39.20 a week.

So over a year, the Falcon will cost you $3494.40 in petrol, $873.60 more than the MR2/Corolla/4 banger being driven hard, or $1456 more than the 4 banger driven gently.

If it sounds like I'm bagging the Falcon too much I apologise. I love my Falcon, I really do, but I just wanted to point out that people are not "being sucked in bad", but are simply choosing the vehicle that meets their needs.

I know that Orion is going to be just as big as the current Falcon, if not bigger, but I really would love to see the next all new Falcon after Orion scale back a bit.

The times, they are a changin'.

Worst comparison ever.

You're comparing a two seater with little or no luggage space to a five seater with a big boot?
You may as well be making the comparison with a motorbike.

[merlin]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Worst comparison ever.

You're comparing a two seater with little or no luggage space to a five seater with a big boot?
You may as well be making the comparison with a motorbike.

What about a Honda Accord Euro vs a Falcon/Commodore - same entry price, but the Honda has much better build quality, still fits 5 people in comfort, uses less fuel, is quicker, has WAY better resale and much higher equipment levels. Falcon/Commodore need to lift their game IMO.

- I am still a Ford fan but this is reality.

Originally Posted by merlin

What about a Honda Accord Euro vs a Falcon/Commodore - same entry price, but the Honda has much better build quality, still fits 5 people in comfort, uses less fuel, is quicker, has WAY better resale and much higher equipment levels. Falcon/Commodore need to lift their game IMO.

- I am still a Ford fan but this is reality.

People won't shop an Accord with a Falcon anyway. That's partially why resale is higher. It's also about image. Falcon/ Commodore is a fleet car, Accord is a private buyers car.

Agreed that is has better build quality, but you pay for that. Plus it is sold in many other countries so volume is higher than Falcon, so you it's easier to get better at building it.

There is no way you can sit 3 accross the back seat in comfort! A friend of mine has an 05 Accord Euro and I've sat in the back with 2 others, all under 6ft tall and it was not a comfortable ride.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by merlin

What about a Honda Accord Euro vs a Falcon/Commodore - same entry price, but the Honda has much better build quality, still fits 5 people in comfort, uses less fuel, is quicker, has WAY better resale and much higher equipment levels. Falcon/Commodore need to lift their game IMO.- I am still a Ford fan but this is reality.

Those people who are downsizing to Corollas are doing so because their needs can be accommodated in a Corolla. We come from the large sector of the population that had to run two cars to do all the things we had to do. Now they've been replaced with one Ford Territory (much to our financial relief) which can do all these things that an Accord Euro can't:
carry 7 people in one journey
move a single bed, a wardrobe or a refridgerator in the back
fit all our luggage in
tow a big boat or a caravan without collapsing on the first hill

If we had an Accord Euro the savings would be cancelled out by:
buying two train tickets for 2 passengers to follow us
hiring a van to move furniture
buying a trailer to carry luggage
hiring someone to tow the van or boat

For our needs we've saved heaps thanks! There will always be a market for larger cars, just look at the number of them in Europe with much higher fuel prices. This present kneejerk reaction to the rise in fuel prices will dampen off after a while.

And to BlackLS who believes the 5 star (NCAP) Yaris will protect him better against a 4 star Falcon, did you learn about mass in physics at school old son? Haven't looked up the weights but a Falcon would be at least a half tonne heavier. You'd be counting those 5 stars after the impact!

[devilracer_01]

Originally Posted by SlickHolden

People are being sucked in bad.

I can get about 455km average from 66lt in a 14 year old Commodore I'll have to try it on the highway one day again.
I wouldn't be surprised if our dim Sim friends buy 50% of the corollas

Thats why Im reluctant to sell our EL Falcon okay might not be a BA but I get over 500kms around town out of it and close to 800kms out of it on the open road to me not worth upgrading to a BA and shoot myself further in the foot petrol wise, if I upgraded to a BA it would be dedicated gas.

[uranium_death]

Originally Posted by SlickHolden

I wouldn't be surprised if our dim Sim friends buy 50% of the corollas

I have been saying that re: Camry for years. Camry's are the most boring, understyled car on the market ever, but they buy them in droves.
Camry's have no fans.
Even the Mitsubishi did more, and although it was a good car, was never perceived as such.

Our "friends" love Toyota. Simple fact. Probably because they are such boring pieces of poopie.

[ClevlndStemer]

When my lease is up on the falcon i'll be downsizing. The falcon sucks fuel horribly (average of 12.7 l/100km) and tyres and other such replacements make it too expensive to maintain. I have no need for such a car anymore and the smaller focus/corolla/astra hatchbacks are really not that small anymore and are more viable. Fuel is a main variable when considering what car to get next. I don't see fuel getting cheaper in the long term.