Australia October 2013: Holden Commodore at highest in 2 years

Holden Commodore

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The Australian new car market experiences its biggest year-on-year fall in 20 months and 2nd decrease in a row in October, down 3% to 92,620 registrations, however the year-to-date total still stands at a record 942,564 units, up 3% on 2012. The reason for the slowdown is the nervousness about the changes to the Fringe Benefits Tax on company cars proposed by the previous Rudd Government a couple of months ago. The new Federal Government only announced officially today that it will not go ahead with these changes, which should enable the market to return into positive over the last two months of 2013. In October, fleet sales were down 10% year-on-year while sales to private buyers were up by 4%.

Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is getting ever closer to its first Australia’s best-selling car title, leading the sales charts for the 5th time this year and the 2nd time in a row in October thanks to 3,862 units and 4.2% share, up a fantastic 30% year-on-year. Corolla 2013 sales now add up to 35,900 vs. 34,394 for the Mazda3, back up to #2 this month with 3,613 sales and 3.9%. The Holden Commodore climbs back onto the Australian podium for the first time since March 2012 at #3 and lodges its best monthly volume and share since September 2011 at 3,315 units and 3.6%. It is now up to #5 year-to-date, passing its assembly line sister the Holden Cruze.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is up to #17 this month.

Notice also the VW Golf inside the Top 10 for the 2nd month running at #9, the Hyundai i20 leading its segment with sales up 55% year-on-year to #12 at 1,732 units, the Toyota RAV4 up 69% to #13, the Hyundai ix35 doubling its sales vs. October 2012 to 1,480 and 1.6% at #15 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee continuing its impressive progression: up a further two ranks to an all-time high #17 with 1,373 sales and 1.5% share.

Previous month: Australia September 2012: Toyota Corolla closer to coronation

One year ago: Australia October 2012: Toyota Camry #1 locally built model

Full October 2013 Top 20 models and Top 45 All-brands Ranking Tables below.