Australia 2007: Commodore resists new Corolla assault in millionaire market, Falcon down to #5

Holden Commodore

* See the Top 50 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

2007 is the very first year Australians purchased more than 1 million new cars: with 1,049,982 registrations the market is up 9% over 2006.

The Holden Commodore is the best selling car in Australia for the 12th year in a row despite the arrival of the new generation Toyota Corolla, launched in June and immediately grabbing the #1 spot that month with 5.6% share. The Commodore stuck it out however, reclaiming the pole position every month until December. All in all, the Commodore was #1 9 times this year and finishes at 57,307 sales and 5.5% share (peaking at 6.6% in February) vs. 3 times for the Corolla and a total of 47,792 sales and 4.6%.

Toyota Corolla and Commodore/Corolla sales comparison (click on image to enlarge)

The Toyota Hilux climbs onto the Australian year-end podium for the very first time with 42,009 sales (4%), up a solid 14% year-on-year and peaking at a best-ever #2 and 4.5% in March. The Mazda3 gains one spot to a record #4 with 34,394 units (+6%), ahead of a Ford Falcon dropping 2 spots and a dramatic 20% to a historical low #5 with 33,941 sales and 3.2% share.

Toyota Aurion

Other 2007 highlights include the best-ever 4th place of the Toyota Yaris in April (#6 in full year at +6%), the spectacular arrival of the Toyota Aurion in the year-end Top 10 at #8 with 22,036 sales and 2.1% (peaking at 2.5% in June), and the new generation Mitsubishi Lancer already #9 in November one month after its launch.

Nissan Navara

Now cheaply imported from Thailand, utes are having the time of their life in Australia. The Nissan Navara delivers its best year ever in the country at #11 with 19,076 sales and 1.8% (+30%). It broke into the Top 10 for the very first time in January at #8 and stayed in that position for consecutive 3 months, peaking at 2.9% share in February. Other ute shining in 2007, the Mitsubishi Triton also broke into the monthly Top 10 for the first time in June at #10 (2.3%) to finish the year at #19 (+36%).

Honda has its best year so far in Australia, placing the Civic at #14 (+30%), the CR-V at #24 (+26%), the Jazz at #29 (+24%), the Accord Euro at #39 (-17%) and the Accord at #47 (+8%).

Previous year: Australia 2006: Commodore limits fall thanks to new gen, Falcon down to #3!

Next year: Australia 2008: Corolla #1 until July, Commodore saved by Sportwagon, Toyota Hilux #1 twice

Full Year 2007 and every Monthly Top 50 below.