Australia August 2011: Mazda3 reclaims leadership UPDATED

Toyota Land Cruiser 70

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 175 best-selling models! See ‘Read more’ at end of post! *

For the first time since November 2010, the Australian car market is up year-on-year at +7% and 88,082 registrations in August. Year-to-date, car sales in Australia are down 4% at 665,309 units.

Yet another change atop the ranking: the Mazda3 delivers its best-ever monthly volume in Australia with 4,234 sales and 4.8% share, ranking #1 for the 2nd time ever, and reclaiming the year-to-date pole position over the Holden Commodore at 28,736 units and 4.3% share. The Commodore is #2 in August with 3,682 sales and 4.2%, not a bad performance in itself.

Mazda3

The Holden Cruze, now locally produced, is back on the podium for the third time this year at #3 with 3,234 sales and 3.7%, its second-best volume ever (behind June 2011 at 3,387) and second-best market share ever (behind July 2011 at 3.9%). With the hatchback version coming later this year, the Cruze could become Holden’s best-seller by the end of 2011…

At #4 the Toyota Corolla slowly returns to its traditional level after earthquake-induced stock shortages at 3.5%, followed by the Toyota Hilux (3.2%) and Hyundai i30 (2.7%). It’s an excellent month for Mazda (#3 brand behind Toyota and Holden and above Ford) with the Mazda2 also lodging its best-ever monthly volume at 1,966 sales and 2.2% for an excellent 7th place. The Ford Territory stays #9.

Mazda2

Further down the ranking, the Hyundai i20 finally takes the relay of the Getz, up 31 spots on July to a best-ever #20 while the Toyota Land Cruiser Wgn is up 22 spots to #21 and the Ute version up 23 spots to #38. Other great performers include the VW Tiguan, up 30 spots to #32, the Jeep Grand Cherokee up 22 spots to #50, the Suzuki Kizashi up 39 spots to #72 and the VW Jetta up 78 spots to #75.

The new generations Hyundai Elantra and Accent are gearing up in 37th and 66th positions respectively while the Great Wall V200 (#141) and Peugeot 508 (#150) both make their first appearance in the Australian Top 150.

Previous month: see the July 2011 Australian Top 150 best-sellers here.

Full August 2011 Top 175 Ranking Table below.