Australia April 2012: Mazda passes Holden, Toyota Hilux leads

Mazda CX-5

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 20 best-selling models: click on title to see! *

The Australian new car market continues on its excellent run this year, up 7% year-on-year in April to 79,097 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 339,219 units, up 5% on 2011. Massive event this month: Mazda passes Holden for the first time ever to become the #2 manufacturer behind Toyota at 7,681 sales vs. 7,589 for Holden with Hyundai lurking in 4th position at 7,017 units. This is due to the combined effect of the exceptional success of the Mazda CX-5 already knocking on the Top 10’s door at #11 with 1,413 sales and 1.8% share and depleted stocks of Holden Colorado in the wake of the new model’s arrival in June.

Toyota Hilux

The Toyota Hilux takes the lead of the models ranking for the first time since April 2010 with 3,565 sales and 4.5%, its highest market share in Australia since December 2009! The Mazda3 is kicked down to 2nd place at 3,005 units and 3.8% but keeps the 2012 year-to-date pole position by far with 14,601 sales and 4.3%. The Toyota Corolla rounds up the podium at 2,573 units and 3.3% and ranks #2 year-to-date with 12,067 sales and 3.6%.

Toyota Prado

For only the second time ever after last January, the Holden Cruze outells its big brother Commodore with 2,315 units and 2.9% vs. 2,248 and 2.8%. The Commodore is still ahead year-to-date, but just with 10,596 sales vs. 10,520 for the Cruze. Another excellent month for the Toyota Prado up a further 2 spots on last month to #7 with 1,725 units and 2.2% while the Mitsubishi Triton reclaims its place in the Top 10 at #10. The Ford Focus and Territory both outsell the Falcon this month.

Previous month: Australia March 2012: Nissan at all-time high, places X-Trail #10

One year ago: Australia April 2011: Holden Cruze up to #4 for the first time

Full April 2012 Top 20 Ranking Table below.