Australia July 2013: Holden Commodore at highest in 16 months

Holden Commodore

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

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It’s a new July record in Australia at 90,235 registrations, however a change in taxation for fleet sales has slowed down the growth of the market over the second half of the month to just 4% above 2012. Analysts predict the Australian market may fall into recession over the 2nd half of the year. For now it is up 5% on 2012 to a record 663,946 units. The big event this month is the return of the Holden Commodore inside the Top 10 thanks to the new generation: up 8 spots on June and a whopping 18% year-on-year to #4 with 2,827 sales and 3.1% share. That’s the Commodore’s best ranking in Australia since July 2012, its strongest volume and share since March 2012 and its highest year-on-year increase in potentially 6 years… For comparison, its former archenemy the Ford Falcon is down 37% year-on-year in July to a lowest-ever 594 sales.

With the Mazda3 now in run-out mode, the Toyota Corolla has good chances to finish 2013 at #1.

The Toyota Corolla reclaims the pole position for the 2nd time this year with 3,945 sales and 4.4% share, up a fantastic 32% on June 2012, and reinforces its year-to-date lead at 24,915 units and 3.8% vs. 23,693 for the Toyota Hilux down 29% to #3 in July and 23,541 for the Mazda3 up 3% to #2 this month. Notice also the Holden Cruze up 32% year-on-year to #5, Mitsubishi Triton up a huge 96% to #9 and Holden Colorado up 33% to #10.

Opel’s life in Australia will have been very short.

In other news, General Motors has decided to drop the Opel brand from Australia, less than one year after launching it in the country and after only 541 units were sold in 2012 and 1,100 so far this year… Plans are reportedly in place to sell some Opel models with a Holden badge in Australia – something the Australian manufacturer had done for years before Opel was introduced here in 2012.

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Previous month: Australia June 2013: Toyota Hilux hits best-ever volume in euphoric market

One year ago: Australia July 2012: Toyota Hilux #1 for the 4th month in a row!

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