VFACTS for October: Sales growth finally
Just 2.2 per cent separated total market sales for October 2009 from the same month last year, but it's a positive sign at last
The car companies and the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries have been predicting an upturn in the market for months now. It finally happened last month.
For October, total vehicle sales numbered 80,813 -- a 2.2 per cent increase over the October 2008 total of 79,105 and the first time since June 2008 that the market had registered any sort of sales growth over the respective monthly tally from the previous year.
Incremental growth, versus a market already in decline in October last year, is only marginally better than a sales decline though. Total numbers of vehicles sold in October 2007 -- two years ago -- reached 89,289, which is plainly a considerably stronger result than last month's. Still, it's a green shoot...
"This was a good solid monthly result with the welcome return of private, business and rental buyers in larger numbers," FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said of the VFACTS figures for October.
"The industry is looking to round out the year on a positive note and we expect a further surge in sales as businesses move to take advantage of the successful tax break prior to the end of the year.
"While the latest figures are encouraging we would urge the Reserve Bank to proceed with caution in contemplating further interest rate rises until the foundations of a full recovery are clearly established."
Passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks all showed signs of improvement for the month, although some segments in passenger cars and light trucks didn't rise to the occasion. All SUV segments (compact, medium, large and luxury) all gained ground.
Toyota believes that the total market for 2009 will now reach 920,000 units -- a long way short of the million-unit mark from previous years, but substantially ahead of earlier predictions along the lines of 880,000 units or less.
"Over the past six months, confidence has grown among fleet and private customers, enabling them to return to the market," said Toyota Australia senior executive director sales and marketing, David Buttner. "The general uplift in consumer sentiment plus the investment allowance that takes us through to December 31 should result in a strong end to 2009."
Toyota has two reasons to crow from the VFACTS results; it remains the top-selling car company in Australia and its Corolla small car was the most popular choice in the market during October.
In total sales, the company sold 17,888 vehicles for the month, adding to its year-to-date score of 160,786. Holden followed, with sales of 10,737 for the month and a year-to-date number of 96,404. Ford was back in third place, 8240 vehicles sold for the month and a YTD figure of 78,529.
Mazda (5637 for October, 63,332 YTD) held fourth spot for the year, although it was outsold by Hyundai for the month (6281 for October, 53,906 for YTD). Mitsubishi sold 4775 cars in October, adding to the YTD figure of 44,867. Nissan stalked Mitsubishi with its October result of 4484 and a YTD running score of 42,930.
Honda (2984 for October, 34,771 YTD), Subaru (3302 October, 30,527 YTD) and Volkswagen (2626 October, 25,343 YTD) rounded out the top ten. Only Hyundai has sold more vehicles this year than last year -- and by a substantial margin too. The Korean importer is almost 16,000 units ahead of its sales for this time last year.
Top selling cars for the month were: Toyota Corolla (3724), Toyota Hilux (3707), Holden Commodore (3455), Ford Falcon (2841), Mazda3 (2211), Hyundai Getz (2198), Holden Cruze (2183), Mitsubishi Lancer (2066), Hyundai i30 (2041), Toyota Camry (1817).
05-11-2009, 02:22 PM
VFACTS for October
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