Australia March 2013: Hyundai outsells Holden for the first time!

Hyundai is the #3 manufacturer in Australia this month behind just Toyota and Mazda.

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 20 best-selling models and Top 46 All-brands! See title *

For once I kick start full month figures with Australia, because another big event in the brands ranking has occurred in March. Quick rewind to February: for the first time in the history of automobile in Australia, the brands podium was 100% Japanese with  Toyota in the lead followed by Mazda and Nissan. It was the first time ever Nissan managed to pass Holden in a monthly ranking and the first time Holden didn’t appear on the podium since the carmaker started manufacturing in the country just after the end of World War 2. And you thought it was a big month? Wait till you hear what happened in March…

Can the new generation Commodore reverse Holden’s fortune at home?

For the first time since December 2011 the Australian new car market is down year-on-year in March albeit at a minuscule -0.2% to 97,400 registrations. Behind Toyota, Mazda and Nissan, the big surprise is the 4th place of Hyundai with sales up 8% year-on-year to 8,402 units. With Holden down 19% to #5, this means it is the first time a Korean manufacturer outsells Holden in its own country! It also means Nissan beats Holden for the 2nd consecutive month and the 2nd time ever. It has been a very difficult last 12 months for Holden, being passed by Mazda for the first time last May (Mazda has now done so 6 times), Nissan for the first time last month and now Hyundai. Can the new generation Commodore, due to launch later in the year, change this trend?

Toyota Corolla

Model-wise, in spite of being on the verge of a replacement, the Mazda3 continues to resist the assault of the all-new Toyota Corolla, selling an estimated 3,786 units for a 3.9% market share vs. 3,512 and 3.6% for the Corolla up to #2. The Toyota Hilux is kicked down to #3 at 3,127 sales and 3.3% while the Hyundai i30 is up 2 spots to a fantastic 4th position at 2,595 units and 2.7%. The Nissan Navara is down one to a still excellent 5th place with 2,499 units and 2.6%, up 24% year-on-year. The new generation Nissan Pulsar already knocks at the Top 10’s door at #11 with 1,644 sales, while the Holden Commodore drops out of the monthly Top 10 for the very first time in the nameplate’s 34 year-career at #12!

Previous month: Australia February 2013: Podium 100% Japanese for the first time in history

One year ago: Australia March 2012: Nissan at all-time high, places X-Trail #10

Full March 2013 Top 20 models and Top 46 All-brands Ranking Tables below.