Australia 1st Quarter 2015: Mazda2 soars to segment lead

The Mazda2 now leads its segment in Australia.

* See the Top 295 All-models ranking by clicking on the title *

As is the tradition every quarter on BSCB, I can now share with you an All-models ranking for Australia. A very dynamic market up 4% year-on-year to 277,594 registrations over the period, Australia gets a constant flow of new models with great sales potential and the 1st Quarter of 2015 is no exception as we’ll see further down. Just outside the familiar Top 10, the Nissan X-Trail gets a very sizeable boost due to the new generation, up 9 spots on its Q4 2014 ranking to #11 and 4,989 sales, landing at a very impressive 2nd place in the overall Australian SUV ranking over the period – it is only beaten by the Mazda CX-5 improving further to #7. Also thanks to a much-needed facelift, the Mazda2 is up 10 spots on the previous quarter to #16 with 4,049 sales, catapulted into its segment’s lead above the Toyota Yaris (#17) and Hyundai i20 (#20).

The Mercedes C-Class is up to #23 over the period.

The Mercedes C-Class goes from strength to strength: from #55 in Q3 2014 to #33 in Q4 to #23 now thanks to a stunning 3,254 sales, leaving its direct competitors in the dust: the BMW 3 Series is #72 and the Audi A4 #93. The Nissan Qashqai gains 15 spots over last quarter to an excellent #25, the Subaru Outback sells more in this quarter (2,595) than in the whole of last year (2,457) as does the Subaru Liberty (1,085 vs. 1,041) both thanks to new models, the Jeep Cherokee gains a further 12 spots to #34, the Kia Sportage is up a surprising 20 ranks to #38, the Audi Q3 jumps to #74 and the Mercedes GLA cracks the Top 100 at #92, however the Hyundai Genesis (#170) and Lexus RC (#180) have plateaued already.

The Mazda CX-3 has landed in Australia.

There are 9 all-new nameplates making their first appearance in the Australian ranking over the period, frankly led by the Honda HR-V landing directly at #41 with 2,122 sales including 1,081 in March alone. A tremendous start for Honda’s baby SUV, instantly placing it at the same level as the brand’s veteran blockbuster CR-V (#36). There may be an even more promising new entrant in the sales charts: the Mazda CX-3 arrives at #77 with 865, Australia being one of the first countries in the world to get this pocket rocket SUV after Japan. The Hyundai Sonata (#140), Renault Captur (#148) and Suzuki Celerio (#162) are the only other new nameplates to make it into the Top 200, along with one very exciting newcomer that you will discover below the jump…

Previous post: Australia March 2015: SUV sales push market up 8%

Previous Quarterly update: Australia 4th Quarter 2015: Nissan X-Trail back in Top 20

One year ago: Australia 1st Quarter 2014: Now with Top 300 All-models ranking

Full Q1 2015 Top 295 All-models ranking vs. Q4 2014 and FY 2014 full sales below.