Australia: More detailed 1980′s Historical Data now available!
The Holden Commodore was #1 in Australia 22 times between 1980 and 2010
* Click on the title for the direct links to these 34 Australian Historical articles! *
Thanks to Paul I can now share with you more Historical detail about the Australian new car market at the end of the eighties, when the ‘Falcadore era’ (the intense fight for the #1 spot between the Holden Commodore and the Ford Falcon) really started to heat up. We now know that the Commodore was #1 over the first 6 months of 1989…
Hyundai Excel (US version)
At that time the Mitsubishi Magna was solidly anchored on the podium, the Camry was Toyota’s best-selling passenger car in the country ahead of the Corolla, the Ford Laser enjoyed a cool 4th place, the Nissan Skyline ranked #8, the Ford Telstar #9 and the Hyundai Excel pointed its bonnet in 15th position…
You will find all the direct links to the 34 Australian Historical articles below. Enjoy!
Australia Historical Data:
Australia 1948-1949: Austin A40 dominates sales
Australia 1949-1959: Holden ‘Australia’s own’ launches (with Vintage Photo Report)
Australia 1960-1968: Ford unveils Falcon to challenge Holden (with Vintage Photo Report)
Australia 1958-1968: Toyota and Japan’s first export market (with Vintage Photo Report)
Australia 1969-1976: Ford catches up on Holden, a Datsun on the podium (with Vintage Photo Report)
Australia 1977: Holden Kingswood and Ford Falcon dominate
Australia 1979-1981: Holden Commodore an instant hit
Australia 1982-1986: Ford Falcon reigns
Australia 1987: Ford Falcon distant leader
Australia 1988-1989: The start of the real ‘Falcadore’ era
Australia 1990: Holden Commodore takes the advantage
Australia 1991: Holden Commodore keeps pole position
Australia 1992: Ford Falcon passes Commodore for 191 units!
Australia 1993: Ford Falcon leads at 11.7%, Mitsubishi Magna #3 at 6.8%
Australia 1994: Holden Commodore reclaims top spot
Australia 1995: Last year of reign for Ford Falcon – hits 12.7%
Australia 1996: Commodore at record 12.8%, Hyundai Excel #3
Australia 1997: Commodore and Falcon down, Kia lands
Australia 1998: Commodore hits highest ever volume, Hyundai Excel #1 in June!
Australia 1999: Commodore leads but down 10%
Australia 2000: Commodore enjoys 5th year in a row at #1
Australia 2001: Commodore, Falcon and Toyota Corolla on podium
Australia 2002: Commodore in command, breaks monthly record
Australia 2003: Ford Falcon teases Holden Commodore
Australia 2004: Commodore undisputed leader
Australia 2005: Commodore and Falcon still dominate but slow down, Corolla #1 in September
Australia 2006: Commodore limits fall thanks to new gen, Falcon down to #3!
Australia 2007: Commodore resists new Corolla assault in millionaire market, Falcon down to #5
Australia 2008: Corolla #1 until July, Commodore saved by Sportwagon, Toyota Hilux #1 twice (with All-models ranking)
Australia 2009: Commodore hits lowest volume ever, Mazda3 #1 in January, the Chinese arrive (with All-models ranking)
Australia 2010: Commodore #1 for 15th year in a row (with All-models ranking)
Australia 2011: Mazda3 breaks Commodore domination, the first time an imported model leads sales since 1947! (with All-models ranking)
Australia 2011: The Chinese have well and truly landed!
Australia 2011 State by State: Toyota Hilux king 3 times
Most figures are sourced from VFACTS, many thanks to David and Paul for all your help!
