Best Selling Cars – Matt's blog

Bob Graziano: “Manufacturing in Australia is no longer viable”

Breaking news: In a press conference that started 30 minutes ago, Ford Australia President and CEO Bob Graziano has announced that Ford is pulling out of manufacturing cars in Australia in October 2016. Graziano has confirmed local production of the Falcon, Falcon ute and Territory will continue until then, but these are models that are almost solely sold in Australia so the volumes will be low.

Why do I write about this now? Simply because Ford had been a huge part of the automotive culture in the country, manufacturing cars in Australia since 1925 when it assembled the legendary Model T. Ford is considered an Australian brand here, in the same way it is considered an English brand in the UK. So this event is similar to Volkswagen announcing they stop manufacturing in Germany, Ford pulling out of the US or Renault giving up producing cars in France…

First generation 1960 Ford Falcon

This announcement comes as most global manufacturers are adding hundreds of thousands of production capacity in China, as I detailed in my “China: Return to explosive growth predicted” article yesterday. Among them, Ford will be doubling its production capacity there by 2015 to reach 1.2 million annual units.

The main two reasons for this pull out are market fragmentation and production costs. If you are a regular reader of BestSellingCarsBlog, this would not come as a surprise. Ford’s traditional local best-seller the Falcon has seen its sales drop by 81% over the last decade, going from 73,220 units in 2003 (#2) to just 14,036 in 2012 (#21) and hitting a lowest-ever 717 units in April, which placed it outside the Top 30 most popular models in the country.

Ford Falcon (current generation)

Ford Falcon sales in blue. Graph by Josh Gregg, click for larger version.

Bob Graziano announced that the Falcon nameplate will be retired when production ceases in October 2016, putting an end to 56 years of activity in what was the longest-running nameplate in Australia and one of the longest ones in the world. As a brand, Ford had been on the Australian podium for the best part of the last 90 years, but is down to #6 year-to-date in 2013, below Toyota, Mazda, Holden, Hyundai and Nissan.

More details below.

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1982 Ford Falcon

* See the Top 10 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Thanks to Doug *

Check out 65 years of Australian car sales Historical Data in 35 articles here!

Have a look at the best choice of auto accessories here.

A couple of days ago, Australian newspaper/website The Sydney Morning Herald published an article briefky studying the evolution of the Top 10 best-selling cars over the last 4 decades, starting with 1982 which is data I didn’t have before. So here it is for you dear readers. You will learn that 30 years ago, the Ford Falcon was the most popular model in Australia with 84,184 sales and a whopping 13.7% market share, ahead of the Holden Commodore at 78,429 units and 12.7%.

1982 Holden Commodore

Yep, you read this well, these two models used to command over a quarter of total Australian sales, a market share that has dwindled down to just 4% in 2012 and… 2.6% last April! The Mitsubishi Sigma, produced locally, rounds up the podium with 42,210 sales and 6.8% followed by the Ford Laser at 40,069 units and 6.5% and the Nissan Skyline with 34,048 sales and 5.5%. The Holden Gemini, Toyota Corolla, Holden Camira and Toyota Corona follow.

Check out 65 years of Australian car sales Historical Data in 35 articles here!

Previous post: Australia 1979-1981: Holden Commodore an instant hit

Next post: Australia 1983-1986: Ford Falcon reigns

Full Year 1982 Top 10 Ranking Table below.

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Honda CR-V sales are up 8-fold in Australia over Q1 2013 thanks to the new model.

* See the Top 282 All-models ranking by clicking on the title! *

Check out used cars for sale here.

Like every Quarter we now have access to a full models ranking for Australia over the first 3 months of 2013. In addition to the historical developments of the last few months when Holden was passed by Nissan then Hyundai for the first time due to the weakness of the Commodore, there are two very clear trends in this models ranking: Utes (Aussie for pick-up trucks) and SUVs. To illustrate this, he biggest year-on-year progressions in the Top 13 are delivered by the Mazda CX-5 (+216%), Ford Ranger (+103%), Hyundai ix35 (+71%), Toyota Hilux (+33%), Mitsubishi Triton (+31%) and Nissan Navara (+24%)…

Hyundai ix35 sales are up 71% year-on-year in Australia.

Honda takes advantage from a renewed range with the Civic up a massive 227% and 48 spots to #14 and the CR-V up a mammoth 703% and 88 ranks to #19. After a shy start, the Nissan Dualis (aka Qashqai) has found its groove in Australia slashes its ranking by two to reach #16, up 42% year-on-year, while the Nissan Pulsar becomes the best performing all-new model, landing directly at #26 with 3,267 sales and 1.2% and even breaking into the monthly Top 10 in March.

Mitsubishi Mirage

Further down, notice the Jeep Grand Cherokee up 84% to #33, the Isuzu D-Max up 44% to #41 and the Hyundai Santa Fe up 80% to #53 while the Great Wall V-Series is starting to lose steam, down 38% and 22 spots to #60. As far as newcomers are concerned, the Mitsubishi Mirage is a success, landing directly at #39, the Toyota GT86 brilliantly breaks into the Top 50 at #48, the Nissan Almera ranks #67, VW Up! #88, Toyota Prius C #92, Mercedes A-Class #104, Holden Colorado 7 #120 and Opel Astra #130.

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

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

Full Q1 2013 Top 282 All-models Ranking Table below.

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Toyota Corolla

* See the Top 25 best-selling models and Top 44 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

New car sales in Australia continue on their record run, up a further 8% year-on-year in April to 85,117 registrations, which brings the year-to-date total to a 356,765 units, up 5% on 2012 which was already a record year. Very promising indeed. Thanks to sales up 36% year-on-year to 3,504 and 4.1% share, the Toyota Corolla takes the lead in April and for only the 2nd time in the last 12 months with last November. Its 662 units advantage over the Mazda3 (down to #3) means that even though the Mazda was #1 for the first 3 months of the year, it is now only 217 units above the Corolla year-to-date at 13,351 vs. 13.134…

Check out car tyres here.

Ford Ranger

Could the Corolla top the Australian models ranking for the first time by year-end, thus verifying my Australian forecast for 2013? It will all depend on how Mazda handles the transition to the new generation 3 due to go on sale here in the 2nd half of 2013. By ranking #1 this month, the Corolla becomes the only nameplate in Australia to have ranked #1 at least once each of the last 9 years as the Holden Commodore was last #1 in July 2011. It is the 20th time the Corolla tops the monthly Australian ranking, the first time being in September 2005. See also Australia: Could 2013 be the year of the Toyota Corolla? featuring annual sales figures for the Corolla since its introduction in the country in 1967.

Toyota RAV4

Toyota manages a 1-2 this month, placing the Hilux at #2 with 2,932 sales and 3.4%, while the Holden Cruze is back up two spots to #4, passing the Hyundai i30 in the process. A few other models generate very impressive year-on-year growth this month: the Nissan Navara is up 23% to #6, the Ford Ranger up 37% to #7 (and kicking the Holden Commodore down to #10 year-to-date), Ford Focus up 51% to #8, Mitsubishi Lancer up 62% to #13, VW Golf up 95% to #14 and the new gen Toyota RAV4 is up 41% to #15. Finally notice the Ford Falcon down to a lowest-ever 717 sales this month. Brand-wise, Holden is back up from #5 in March to #2 in April.

Previous post: Australia Q1 2013: Discover the Top 282 All-models ranking!

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

One year ago: Australia April 2012: Mazda passes Holden, Toyota Hilux leads

Full April 2013 Top 25 models and Top 44 All-brands Ranking Tables below.

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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.

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The Top 5 best-selling models in Australia over the last decade (annual volume).

* Click on the image above to see the large version of the graph. Many thanks to Josh *

Today I have the pleasure to introduce you all to BestSellingCarsBlog’s first graphs, thanks to Josh Gregg. Given I am based in Australia I thought it would be appropriate to have this first graph illustrate a striking trend in this country over the last decade: the fall of large cars like the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon, to the benefit of compact ones like the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla. The first graph (above) features the Top 5 models over the period – cumulatively, not each year’s Top 5.

2002-2012 sales variation for the Top 5 models in Australia

The Commodore is down from 88,478 sales in 2002 to just 30,532 in 2012 (-74%!), losing its pole position to the Mazda3 in 2011 after 15 years of domination. Similarly, the Ford Falcon falls from 73,220 units in 2003 to 14,036 in 2012. On the opposite, the Mazda3 is up from 15,941 sales in 2002 (when it was called the Mazda 323) to a record 44,128 units in 2012, a 177% increase over the decade. You will notice the 2nd graph represents the % variation for these models between 2002 and 2012.

Mazda3

Interestingly, the Toyota Corolla peaked at 47,901 sales and 2008 and has seen stabilised around 40,000 annual units, in effect missing the opportunity to take the lead of the Australian market as early as 2009. Over the decade it is up a modest 11% while the Toyota Hilux displays relentless growth over the period, coming from 22,515 units in 2002 to 42,956 in 2008, and lodging an overall 81% increase over the decade.

Market share over the last decade of the Top 6 manufacturers in 2012

The third graph shows the cumulative market share of the Top 6 manufacturers in the country over the last decade. This was calculated by adding up sales for each year since 2003 for each Top 6 manufacturer in the 2012 ranking. No surprises: Toyota leads with 21%, followed by Holden at 14% and Ford at 11%. But perhaps the most striking graphs of all is the 4th one (below) showing percentage variation for 2012′s Top 6 manufacturers compared to 2003. Hyundai is at an unbelievable +196% (tripling its volume over the period) while Mazda doubles its sales at +95%, Holden is down 35% and Ford down 29%…

2003-2012 sales variation for the Top 6 manufacturers in Australia as of 2012

Would you be interested in seeing more graphs on BestSellingCarsBlog? If so, what countries and what timeframe? Please comment on here to share your thoughts with me about this latest addition to the information displayed on this blog. If the feedback is good, you will see more graphs popping up on here in the near future. (that is if Josh is happy to get into high-speed graph production mode!)

Check out special articles about the Toyota Corolla and Hilux in Australia below.

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The new Pulsar (#19 in February) should help Nissan stay high in the ranking in 2013.

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 25 models and Top 47 All-brands! Click on title to see *

Australian new car sales are up 5% year-on-year in February to 90,218 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 175,648 units, up 8% on 2012. This month the big news is in the brands ranking. Shock, horror: for the first time in the history of automobile in the country, the podium is 100% Japanese. Toyota leads as usual with 15,992 sales, followed by Mazda extremely robust at #2 for the third month in a row and the 5th time ever at 8,728 units. The big surprise is the third place of Nissan with 8,225 sales, up a whopping 32% year-on-year, meaning Holden is kicked out of the Australian podium for the first time since the carmaker started manufacturing in the country just after the end of World War 2. Check out Mechanic Advisor.

The Nissan Dualis breaks into the Australian Top 10 for the first time this month.

This is the first time in Nissan’s history that it outsells Holden, and the second time in a year Nissan has beaten Ford. It comes less than a year after Mazda managed to outsell Holden for the first time, and has now done so 5 times. Holden claims its February flop was caused by a computer glitch that restricted dealers from reporting sales. It is even threatened by Hyundai this month, selling 7,687 units (-20%) vs. 7,505  for the Korean manufacturer. Ford is down 5% at #6 with 6,590 sales while Honda is up 48% to #9 and 3,862 sales thanks to the new CR-V.

The Mitsubishi Triton ranks within the monthly Aussie Top 5 for the first time in February.

This situation is partly due to the combination of a record-high Australian dollar and a devalued Japanese Yen, which has enabled Australian importers of Japanese cars to offer abnormally sharp discounts. Holden director of government and corporate affairs Matt Hobbs told News Limited ”We have not seen this sort of currency pressure since the 1970s.” Model-wise, the Mazda3 enjoys its third consecutive month in pole position in spite of sales down 10% year-on-year to 3,378 units. The Toyota Hilux is close behind at 3,319 (+46%) with the Toyota Corolla rounding up the podium with 3,158 sales. Only two locally-produced models manage to rank within the Top 10: the Holden Commodore (#8 at -42%) and Cruze (#9 at -40%)…

Ford Ranger

The Nissan Navara renews last’s month outstanding performance, staying at a record 4th position thanks to sales up 31% on February 2012 to 2,639. In fact for the first time ever, there are no less than 4 utes (Australian for pick-up trucks) in the Top 7 this month! The Mitsubishi Triton shoots up 73% to a best-ever 5th place at 2,336 units and the Ford Ranger is up an even more impressive 118% to #7 with 1,739 sales. The Nissan Dualis (aka Qashqai) breaks into the Aussie monthly Top 10 for the first time at #10 and 1,548 units, up 70% year-on-year. Notice also the Hyundai ix35 up to a record #12, the Mazda BT-50 up 6 ranks to #15, the Nissan Pulsar landing directly at #19 for its first full month of sales at 1,275 units and the Mitsubishi Mirage at #26.

Previous month: Australia January 2013: Nissan Navara and Ford Focus break records

One year ago: Australia February 2012: Mazda3 #1, Subaru XV leads category!

Full February 2013 Top 25 models and Top 47 All-brands Ranking Tables below.

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This post is sponsored by Car Loan World

There’s nothing quite like buying a new car. That feeling of being the first person to drive the car, seeing single digits on the mileage counter, smelling that new car smell, hearing the gentle thunk of new car doors closing. Buying a new car can be an awesome experience – but thinking practically, how does it stack up to buying a car that is used?

Upfront Costs: One of the first things nearly everyone thinks about when buying a new car is the price. It’s no secret that you will pay thousands of dollars more for a new car compared to the same model a few years older, so what makes up for the kicker that is new car depreciation?

Finance Costs: One benefit of buying new is the money you can save on car finance. Car loans providers often offer better interest rates on loans for new cars than for used cars. It’s up to you to work out whether the interest you save on your car loan makes up the higher upfront cost of the car.

Insurance Costs: Unfortunately, you may find that it costs more to insure a new car – usually because the car is worth more new. Chalk that win up to the used car board.

Safety: However, newer cars can be safer than older models. As manufacturers strive to obtain higher safety ratings, each model can become safer over the years. Compare the ANCAP safety rating of your new car with its predecessors to see if there are any improvements in the latest model.

Style: Fashions and trends develop over time. If you have a thing for the boxy cars of the eighties, then a used car could be for you – or, if you follow fashion and you like the sleeker lines of the latest models, then a new car may be a better option. Both can be obtained through purchase or car loans.

Fuel Efficiency: Another improvement that often comes with later model cars is improved fuel efficiency. Any manufacturer that wants that Federal Government Fuel Efficiency sticker will have to make changes to how well the car handles fuel – which should help you save money on petrol over time.

Modifications: One of the great things about buying a car new is the fact that you can customise it to suit you. You want metallic paint? You got it. You want leather interior? You got it. You want heated seats? You got it. As long as you have the money, and the manufacturer has the option, you can buy a car exactly the way you want it. The only downside is the amount of time you will wait for it to be delivered.

Warranties: Another upside of buying a new car is that you will be blessed with a full manufacturer’s warranty. This should cover most hiccups your car will face during the first few years of life. On the other hand, you might find a used car with warranty, with a little bit of research.

Peace of mind: One thing about buying a used car is that you don’t know what it’s been through. It might have had a rough time of it with previous owners, but you won’t know that until it breaks down in the middle of rush hour traffic. Remember, if you do buy a used car, get it checked over by an independent mechanic or have the NRMA do a vehicle inspection on it.

Nissan Navara

* See the Top 15 best-selling models and Top 50 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

This article is brought to you by used car dealers.

After a bumper end of year leading to a record 2012, some analysts had predicted the start of 2013 could be bumpy for Australian new car sales. Not so. At 85,430 registrations, the market is up 11% year-on-year to beat the all-time record for January sales set in 2008. Building on 2012 when it held the  for the 2nd year in a row, the Mazda3 leads the monthly ranking for the 5th time in the last 12 months with 3,345 sales and 3.9%, ahead of the Toyota Corolla at 3.5% and the Toyota Hilux at 3.2%.

Ford Focus

After reaching a record 5th place and 2.8% share last month, the Nissan Navara amazingly betters both these figures, hitting a best-ever #4 spot with 2,474 sales and a record 2.9% in January. The Ford Focus also beats some records this month: it is up 4 ranks to a best-ever #5 at 2,364 units and 2.8%, beating the #6 spot it reached in January 2008. The Mazda2 is up a healthy 10 spots on December to #7, its best ranking since January 2012.

Reversely, the Holden Commodore falls to 1.9% share this month, its first time ever below 2% in Australia, remembering that one year ago in January 2012 was its first time below 3%… The new generation can’t come soon enough. Notice also the Mazda CX-5 back inside the Top 10 at #10 and the Hyundai ix35 up to a record #14.

Previous post: Australia Full Year 2012: Now with exclusive rankings by State!

Full Year 2012 post: Australia Full Year 2012: No local on the podium for 1st time since 1930s

Previous month: Australia December 2012: Mazda3 and Toyota Camry amaze again

One year ago: Australia January 2012: Commodore not Holden’s best-seller for 1st time since 1978

Full January 2013 Top 15 models and Top 50 All-brands Ranking Tables below.

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The Toyota Prado is #3 in Australia’s Northern Territory vs. #15 nationally.

* See the Top 10 best-selling models for each Australian State by clicking on the title! *

Thanks to Elise and the team at Toyota Australia, I can share with you an exclusive Top 10 models ranking by State for Australia. You will not find this anywhere else on the web! With the overall market hitting a new record in 2012 at 1,112,032 registrations, absolutely every State/Territory gains ground vs. 2011, an exceptional performance in itself. The biggest market in the country is still New South Wales (Sydney) with 341,211 sales (+8%) followed by Victoria (Melbourne) at 293,778 and +9% and Queensland (Brisbane) at 235,025 (+11%). Then we find Western Australia (Perth) at 128,005 (+17% – boosted by the mining industry), South Australia (Adelaide) at 67,999 and +8%, ACT (Canberra) at 17,435 and +11%, Tasmania at 16,981 and +1% and the Northern Territory at 11,598 and +16%.

The Mazda3 now leads Australia’s two biggest markets: New South Wales and Victoria.

Model-wise, if last year the Toyota Hilux was king in 3 States vs. 2 for the Mazda3 and Holden Commodore, in 2012 the situation is slightly different. Confirming it is the most popular vehicle in the country for the 2nd year in a row, the Mazda3 now leads in 3 different states: it stays in pole position in New South Wales and ACT but is now also #1 in the 2nd biggest market, Victoria, where it dethrones the Holden Commodore.

Toyota Hilux

The Toyota Hilux keeps the pole position in the 3 States it was dominating in 2011: doing best in Northern Territory with a huge 9.8% share, followed by Western Australia (5.4%) and Queensland (5.2%). Two additional models lead a State this year: the Holden Cruze “at home” in South Australia with 3,847 sales and 5.7% and the Toyota Corolla in Tasmania at 565 units and 3.3%.

Ayers Rock/Uluru in Australia’s Northern Territory

Northern Territory, home of Ayers Rock, deserves its own little paragraph even though it is the smallest market in the country. And the reason is the 7 best-selling vehicles there are all Toyotas! And 8 in the Top 10… In a market up 16% year-on-year, below the expected Hilux and Corolla, the Prado is up 50% to #3 vs. #15 in the national ranking, the Land Cruiser Wagon at #4 vs. #33, the Camry at #5, Yaris up 65% to #6, RAV4 up 40% to #7 vs. #19 nationally and the Land Cruiser Ute at #9 vs. #47 nationally…

More commentaries below the jump.

Australia Full Year 2012 post: Australia Full Year 2012: Now with Top 296 All-models ranking

Previous year: Australia Full Year 2011 by state: Toyota Hilux king 3 times

Full Year 2012 Top 10 for each Australian State and Territory below.

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