Vfacts feb. 2014

[bobthebilda]

5th March, 2014

Car sales declined in February 2014 with Australians buying 86,818 new vehicles; 3,400 (3.8 per cent) less than in February 2013.

Australia’s mining and manufacturing states had large falls with Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria recording 12, 5.7 and 4.1 per cent decreases, respectively.

Releasing the VFACTS figures for February 2014, FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said sales fell predominantly in the light commercial vehicle segment, with Australians buying 2,567 (14.5 per cent) less light commercial vehicles.

“We believe the significant decrease in WA, QLD and Victoria, and the sharp decline in light commercial sales are indicative of the slowdown in mining and uncertainty around manufacturing,” Mr Weber said.

Mr Weber noted that despite a decrease in sales of SUVs and light commercials, passenger car sales remained steady.

“Australian consumers purchased 17.4 per cent more large passenger cars than in February 2013. They also bought 5.2 per cent more small passenger cars and 3.1 per cent more medium passenger cars.

"The top five sales list for February 2014 was dominated by passenger cars, with three small cars and one large passenger car making the list. The Mazda3 was the top selling car, with 3,969 vehicles sold. The Toyota Hilux was second (3,348), the Toyota Corolla was third (3,332), the Holden Commodore was fourth (2,777) and the Hyundai i30 was fifth (2,372).”

Government purchases continued to rise, with 3.6 per cent more vehicles bought by government buyers than in February 2014. Business and private sales declined by 4.9 and 1.8 per cent, respectively.

Government and business buyers chose more passenger vehicles, but less SUVs and light commercial vehicles than in the same month last year. Government purchases of passenger cars rose 15.5 per cent and business purchases rose 9.9 per cent. Private buyers purchased 8.9 per cent more SUVs, but 4.7 per cent less passenger cars and 14.1 per cent less light commercial vehicles.

Toyota was the top selling brand in February 2014, with 16,200 sales. Toyota was followed by Mazda (9,171), Holden (8,697), Hyundai (7,802) and Ford (6,287).

[GT014]

Still waiting for falcon figures but drive.com.au stated

Despite Toyota confirming last month it will close its Altona plant in Victoria in 2017, sales of the locally-made Camry were slightly higher in February, as was those for the Ford Falcon on the back a record low in January, which helped elevate sales of Australian-made cars 2.5 percent higher than at the same time last year.

[V8 Ghia Mike]

10000 more people choosing a Toyota over something from Ford's excellent range just defies logic doesn't it?

Mike

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by V8 Ghia Mike

10000 more people choosing a Toyota over something from Ford's excellent range just defies logic doesn't it?

Mike

well, no.

[bobthebilda]

Falcon = 549 sales

http://www.caradvice.com.au/273745/c...rs-and-losers/

Sales of the Holden Commodore continued to surge in February, the first full month of sales since the brand’s local manufacturing closure announcement, tallying 2777 units (60.2 per cent up on February 2013) for a 51.7 per cent increase year to date.

The Australian-built large car couldn’t quite clamber above fourth place overall, however, beaten soundly by the new Mazda 3 (3969), Toyota HiLux (3348) and Toyota Corolla (3332) – though the latter, last year’s number one, already sits 600 units behind its Mazda small car rival just two months into the new year.

In fifth place was another small car, the Hyundai i30 (2372), while the Ford Ranger (1901), Toyota Camry (1891), Volkswagen Golf (1780), Mazda CX-5 (1752) and a resurgent Toyota RAV4 (1614) rounded out the Top 10 in a February market that saw 86,818 new cars pass through showrooms – 3400 sales or 3.8 per cent down on February 2013.



February’s figure has placed the year-to-date Australian market total at 169,103 – or 6545 and 3.7 per cent behind last year’s record year – although the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) continues to forecast a 1.112 million market for 2014.

While the passenger car market remained steady, the SUV class has dropped 1722 vehicles or 3.2 per cent year-to-date. On the rise are small cars (up 8.7 per cent), large cars (on the back of Commodore, up 11 per cent) and small SUVs (up 7.8 per cent), but falling are upper large SUVs (down 18.8 per cent), light cars (down 17.2 per cent), large SUVs (down 6.0 per cent) and medium SUVs (down 4.8 per cent).

Toyota led the top-brands charts with 16,200 sales in February for a 18.7 per cent share of the market, while Mazda again beat Holden – 9171 versus 8697 – for second. Hyundai also stayed well ahead of Ford – 7802 plays 6287 – while the bottom half of the top 10 consisted of Mitsubishi (4683), which overtook Nissan (4458), which in turn had its heels nipped at by Volkswagen (4376), while Subaru (3121) was in ninth and Honda (2662) edged out Kia for tenth spot.



Although light cars are down so far this year, the Mazda 2 (1242), Hyundai i20 (1165) and Toyota Yaris (954) comfortably led the class, posting almost double the figures of the next-best Kia Rio (599), Volkswagen Polo (565) and Suzuki Swift (558).

Beyond the top three of the booming small car class were the Volkswagen Golf (1780) in fourth, followed by the Holden Cruze (1433) and Ford Focus (1355) that are both down 16.0 per cent and 5.5 per cent respectively year to date.

It remains a three-fold drop from Camry to second-placed Mazda 6 (616) in the stagnant medium class, with third place halving the figure again, the Ford Mondeo notching up 307 sales. In fact, even in its twilight years, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (512) almost doubled the sales figure of the BMW 3 Series (260) in the premium medium category.



Sad news continues for Ford Falcon fans with another pitiful 549-unit total for February only a slight improvement on last month, but still leaving the nameplate down 38.6 per cent, and one-fifth of arch-rival Commodore’s total.

Looking at the sports below $80K class, the Toyota 86 (453) soundly beat its Hyundai Veloster (273) rival.

In SUV land, the small segment was headed by the Nissan Dualis (727), followed by the Subaru XV (678) and Mitsubishi ASX (571).



Beyond the CX-5 and RAV4 in the medium SUV class was the Hyundai ix35 (the FCAI incorrectly calls it a small SUV, but it’s not, so it places third with 1491 sales), followed by the Subaru Forester (1165) and Honda CR-V (810).

The Jeep Grand Cherokee (1370) continues to dominate the large SUV category, with the Toyota Prado (1275) close behind, but closer rivals the Holden Captiva 7 (801), Ford Territory (789) and Toyota Kluger (589, although it is about to be replaced) paling alongside the US-built brute.

Most 4×2 ute buyers are heading straight for the HiLux, with 974 sales almost double that of the Holden Ute (459), Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton (436 each). It gives the Toyota a healthy leg-up once 4×4 ute sales are added, and its 2374 total remains comfortably ahead of Ranger (1465), Holden Colorado (1177) and Nissan Navara (1126).



Top 10 Best-selling Vehicles – February 2014
1.Mazda 3 – 3969
2.Toyota HiLux – 3348
3.Toyota Corolla – 3332
4.Holden Commodore – 2777
5.Hyundai i30 – 2372
6.Ford Ranger – 1901
7.Toyota Camry – 1891
8.Volkswagen Golf – 1780
9.Mazda CX-5 – 1752
10.Toyota RAV4 – 1614

Top 10 Best-selling Brands – February 2014
1.Toyota – 16,200
2.Mazda – 9172
3.Holden – 8697
4.Hyundai – 7802
5.Ford – 6287
6.Mitsubishi – 4683
7.Nissan – 4458
8.Volkswagen – 4376
9.Subaru – 3121
10.Honda – 2662

[Chopped]

I know it's a dead duck but VF Commodore sales have been pretty solid.
New Mazda 3 is a nice looking car and I expect it to give the Corolla a hard time.

[MrZ]

Wow, Commodore is outselling Falcon more than 5 to 1 so far this year. Has the gap between the two models ever been that big before?

[blk6t]

Wow, as stated earlier, the Commodore sales were strong in February.

Good to see a surge in the large car market.

[burnz]

where's the cruze? getting stale..

[Hawkeye84]

Interesting read on "Cyber Cars" and sales numbers

http://dailytelegraph.carsguide.com....82404_20140305

[XR Martin]

Honda looking very ordinary, and so is the BMW 3 series.
Fiesta gone awol, and no mention of Focus.
Cant believe the i20 figures. I think id rather drive a Hillman Hunter, atleast id be only seen as weird and not stupid.

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by burnz

where's the cruze? getting stale..

Cruze sold 1433 for the month, and as the wagon is korean made, then they probably made about 1300 cruzes here (although I am yet to see a cruze wagon). Add that to the commodores and utes sold, then they are selling around 4500 australian made cars a month. It still leaves them with around 2000 - 2500 cars a month for export (which I think they are only achieving half that), if they are making circa 330 cars a day. Rumours are that cruze production will stop tgere next year anyhow, and they will be down to just making commodore derivatives.

[MAGPIE]

Ouch !

Mitsubishi 4683 -- down 22 per cent

Nissan 4458 -- down 45.7 per cent

Honda 2662 -- down 31.1 per cent

Why do people in Aus flock to Hilux over Ranger, in NZ Ranger and Hilux go toe to toe every month.

[BHDOGS]

does it even matter what falcon or holden sell anymore there leaving i doubt either company could give two *****

[G6T]

Ford need 2 bring 2014 falcon out now. But like allways u can lead a horse 2 water but u can't make it drink.

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

does it even matter what falcon or holden sell anymore there leaving i doubt either company could give two *****

It probably matters to the workers at holden, ford and their suppliers. We keep hearing that 10's of thousands of people will be looking for work in 2016 and 2017. Chances are that between now and then, a few hundred people a month will realise those dates are only for a select few, and as sales slow, employment decreases.

[MrZ]

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

It probably matters to the workers at holden, ford and their suppliers. We keep hearing that 10's of thousands of people will be looking for work in 2016 and 2017. Chances are that between now and then, a few hundred people a month will realise those dates are only for a select few, and as sales slow, employment decreases.

I just feel sorry for any of the workers who are looking at getting a mortgage, or a loan of any kind. As soon as the lender looks at their employer, being Ford/Holden/Toyota, they're going to reach for the rejected stamp.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Ouch !





Why do people in Aus flock to Hilux over Ranger, in NZ Ranger and Hilux go toe to toe every month.

Supply?? Plus Hilux is cheaper then Ranger and has a much larger Fleet audience. Ford is still working on large fleet.

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Supply?? Plus Hilux is cheaper then Ranger and has a much larger Fleet audience. Ford is still working on large fleet.

Not to mention the capped price servicing for the Toyota Hilux is $170 versus $395 for the Ranger, although the Ranger is 12 months or 15,000klm which ever occurs 1st, where as the Hilux is 6 months or 10,000klms which ever occurs 1st.

[Windsor220]

Hilux still has a big rep too. Will probably always have it.

[csv8]

Why does Commodore sell ??? Marketing!!! There are at least 1-3 Commy ads on tv each night!!! Plus others of the Holden range !!! Ford really need a new marketting department....

[richo77]

Originally Posted by csv8

Why does Commodore sell ??? Marketing!!! There are at least 1-3 Commy ads on tv each night!!! Plus others of the Holden range !!! Ford really need a new marketting department....

No point in throwing money at a lame horse now, the ships sailed.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by csv8

Why does Commodore sell ??? Marketing!!! There are at least 1-3 Commy ads on tv each night!!! Plus others of the Holden range !!! Ford really need a new marketting department....

Could it be the Commodore might be a decent product?

[BHDOGS]

Originally Posted by wretched

could it be the commodore might be a decent product?

nopeee

[Professor Farnsworth]

back on track, thanks

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Why do people in Aus flock to Hilux over Ranger, in NZ Ranger and Hilux go toe to toe every month.

Because the Ford brand is toxic in Australia.

[csv8]

Why didn't Ford marketing come up with an campaign like Holden ?
"The SUV range that grows with you" Trax, Captiva, Colorado.
FORD have Eco-Sport, Kuga, Territory to compete with Holden..
This is the reason why Holden products sell, people know they available.
Its not the quality of product, its the marketing.
Likewise, VW..The Family ad. Jeep...The only search engine you need.
Its so sad, Ford have great cars and hardly anyone, but us, knows about them...

[duaned]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

nopeee

Tool! It is a good product. And it is selling well which is the moral of the story. Right?

[russellw]

The first set of graphical statistics is now uploaded into the Tech Portal.

Interesting to note that for the first time in several years, the large segment actually increased albeit by a very small amount.

Cheers
Russ

[Rodge]

I don't understand what is taking Ford sooo long to bring the FH to market as it feels like we've been talking about it on here for years already. VF sales clearly show the large car market isn't dead...well not for those who supply with a modern product. Bring out the updated Falcon ASAP for goodness sake.