Australia May 2013: Toyota Corolla overtakes Mazda3 YTD

It is the first time since 2008 that the Corolla is ahead year-to-date that far into the year.

* See the Top 25 best-selling models and Top 47 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

The Australian new car market is up 1% year-on-year in May to 96,788 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 453,553 units, up 4% on 2012 and therefore still on track for another record year. For the first time since last October but the 5th time in the last 12 months, the Toyota Hilux is the most popular vehicle in the country in spite of a 21% year-on-year drop to 3,665 sales and 3.8% share. But it’s the Toyota Corolla that delivers the performance of the month: thanks to 3,640 units sold, it manages the overtake the Mazda3 (stuck at #3 with 3,054 sales and 3.2% in May) to take the lead of the 2013 year-to-date ranking with 16,774 units and 3.7% vs. 16,405 and 3.6% for the Mazda3.

The Mitsubishi Triton ranks at a record #4 this month…

We have to go back to 2008 to find the Toyota Corolla ahead year-to-date that far into the year. At the time, it led the YTD ranking all the way up until July when the Holden Commodore reclaimed its throne thanks to the Sportswagon version and finished the year #1. How times have changed! As the new generation came into dealerships on May 31, the Commodore is down to its lowest ever ranking in the country this month at #12 with just 1,647 sales and 1.7% share, down 30% year-on-year… For more details about how significant the access of the Corolla to #1 is in Australia, you can also check my Australian forecast for 2013 here and the history of Corolla sales since its introduction in the country in 1967 here: Australia: Could 2013 be the year of the Toyota Corolla?

…while the Mitsubishi Outlander hits a best-ever #11.

But the Toyota Corolla is not the only star of the month, with no less than 4 models among the Top 11 reaching their highest ever ranking in the country this month! The Mitsubishi Triton is up a brilliant 8 spots on last month and 41% year-on-year to land at a record 4th place with 2,606 sales and 2.7% share, its previous best being #5 with 2,336 units and 2.6% last February. The Mazda CX-5 is up to a record #8 thanks to 1,773 units and 1.8%, beating the #9 it hit last August and March.

The Hyundai ix35 breaks into the monthly Australian Top 10 for the very first time, up 92% year-on-year to #9 at 1,770 sales and 1.8%, beating the #12 spot it also hit last February. Finally the Mitsubishi Outlander, boosted by the new generation, is up 196% to #11 with 1,652 units and 1.7% which are new ranking and share records for the nameplate in the country but one unit short of its highest ever volume delivered last October. Notice also the Nissan Pulsar up 8 spots to #18 and the Hyundai i20 up 165% to #22.

Previous post: Ford pulls out of Australia

Previous month: Australia April 2013: Toyota Corolla #1, threatens Mazda3 YTD

One year ago: Australia May 2012: Toyota Hilux dominates like never before

Full May 2013 Top 30 models and Top 47 All-brands Ranking Tables below.