Australia May 2011: Holden Cruze on podium, VW Golf #7!

Holden Cruze

* Now updated with the Top 150 best-selling models! See ‘Read more’ at end of post *

The Australian car market is at -13% and 77,406 units, impacted by supply issues related to the Japanese tsunami. For the first time since March 2005, Holden passes Toyota as the best selling brand in the country with 11,115 units vs. 11,044. The Holden Commodore leads for the 4th month in a row at 3,504 sales and 4.5% ahead of the Toyota Hilux (4.1%) and therefore reclaims the #1 spot in the 2011 year-to-date ranking with 17,223 units and 4.3%.

VW Golf

Confirming the positive impact of its newly localised production, the Holden Cruze climbs onto the Australian podium for the very first time at #3 with a best-ever 3.8% share and 2,914 sales. The Cruze leads the small car category for the first time and sells twice as many units as the Toyota Corolla, out of the Top 10 for the first time in 10 years.

The other great performer of the month is the VW Golf, reaching its best-ever position in Australia at #7 with 1,864 sales and a best-ever 2.4% share. Its previous best was #9 and 2.3% in June 2010. The Holden Captiva excels at #9 with 1,606 sales and 2.1%, and the Hyundai ix35 at #19, Kia Cerato at #26, Mitsubishi Pajero at #27 and Suzuki Alto at #29 all have a very solid month.

Quick update on Chinese models: recently facelifted, the Great Wall V240 ute is up and getting closer to the Top 50 at a best-ever 54th place with 434 sales and 0.6%, the Great Wall X240 is strong at #67, the Chery J11 is down 4 spots on last month at #110 and the Chery J1 is up to #129 with 82 sales.

More commentaries and full Top 150 Ranking Table below.