New Car Sales fall in July
August 5, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
Following rising interest rates, the increasing price of petrol and the impact of the proposed luxury car tax increase, new car sales for July 2008 have slowed 2.7 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Official VFACTS figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) indicate that 83,976 new cars, trucks and buses found new owners in July – a shortfall of 2,315 vehicles (2.7%) compared to July 2007.
Either way, the year-to-date figures are still optimistic, being 2.6 per cent above last year’s record highs. Whether or not 2008 will top 2007’s all-time record is still to be seen.
“Higher fuel prices, interest rates and the wider economic uncertainty have resulted in a slowing of people heading to showrooms,” FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar said.
The 2.7 per cent fall could partially be attributed to the proposed luxury car tax hike, which has led to a 33 per cent decrease in the sales of so-called ‘luxury’ in July compared to June.
“The proposed tax hike has had a devastating impact on new car sales, it is clear that the downturn has been exacerbated by the impact of this unfair tax hike, and the industry has significant concerns that orders will continue to be affected in coming months,” Mr McKellar said.
Mr McKellar emphasis that if the situation continues, the Federal government will fail to collect the additional revenue it had projected, plus there is a very possible risk that the tax hike will cost jobs.
“In these circumstances, one would have to question why the government would pursue this tax increase,” he said.
Segment by segment, most suffered a decrease in sales except for light cars (up 1.0%), SUV medium (up 8.1%), SUV large (up 7.4%). and Light Commercial vehicle (up 6.3 per cent) compared to the same month last year.
Once again Toyota set the benchmark for the month, coming in first with a massive 24.4 per cent of the market share, followed by GM Holden with 13.3 per cent and Ford with 11.3 per cent.
The figures shows the Big T has sold 147,961 new vehicles so far this year with Holden having found 78,271 buyers will Ford is coming in a comfortable third with 63,933 sales.
Toyota also made another landmark, being the first manufacturer to sell more than 20,000 vehicles in the month of July.
Print it: 
Ah you mean BEST LARGE CAR Paul not Drives Car of the Year, that went to the M3, big difference!
TP You said that the Aurion was Drives car of the year then when BM told you it wwas the M3 you stated it was the Large Car of the year.. even so that doens’t alter the fact that the M3 is the Overall Car ot the year.
Back in the days when Bathurst 1000 was more of a production car race you had a range of categories racing within the race.. and even though in a particular year a Datto 1600 may have won its category noone really cares.. all they remember is the overall Bathurst winner.
Isn’t the Drive award rather bogus as it relies on the general public voting for their choice on the net and we all know how fanatical some Toyota supporters are.LOL.
Drive says good things about all cars. It’s more like a car infommercial rather than a new car appraisal site.
That’s right – Drive[l] even found something food to say about the Daihatsu Copen.
Ah yes John but if Toyotas are so good why don’t you see that many older models [10 yars+] on the roads as you do Fords and Holdens>
This is a question I ahve asked the other 3 Toyota fans and all they come back with is that Ford and Holden sold mor cars because they’ve have been around longer.
Duurrr… But take 1958 [the year Toyota started in oz] as a starting point..
If Toyota were/are so much better than Ford and Holden then surely the Aussie motorist would have realised this and switched over to Toyota within 10 years which would possibly have meant that Toyota became number one in the mid 1960’s – not some 50 years later..
Quote [Tomas79]: “….And as for split personalities, Just take a look at this blog, does GO Toyota impersonate anyone else?? Does Bavarian Missile impersonate Dingo’s Son?? Or Go Toyota himself??!
What – you think that Bavarian Missile; a woman who you accuse of being ignorant because her “love” for toyotas isn’t as deep and consuming as yours is.. would all of a sudden turn around and start praising Toyotas and their “achievements” etc on the same blog topic?
People who have been on this site as long as BM has [which is longer than you] know what she and many others including myself think of Toyota.. that is they are reasonably good practical cars but nowhere near as desirable or awe inspiring as its simarly priced rivals. Whereas Go Toyotas are all like “Toyota are better because they are Toyota.”
Hi There – Hey Go Toyota – I’m in the market for a new car. I’d like a large wagon preferably diesel, up to date with all the gear i.e. rain sensing wipers, blue tooth etc etc. I really don’t want a 4WD (Prado) due to fuel concerns besides the wife wouldn’t drive such cumbersome thing. Would a camry wagon or aurion wagon come with a diesel. Can you advise please.
Wagons are for 80 years olds. Youll want to buy a boring Falcon or Commodore for one of those.
Quote [Tomas79[: Wheelnut Says: “We have made several serious well founded arguements to counter what Dingo and his many split personalities has GONE ON about on this site..”
Saying that Toyotas are bland and boring vehicles the handle bad, is an objective opinion, not a well founded argument!!
No but in a number of our replies we state that Ford or Holden are just as good in one particular area - such as perfomance handling and design.... as Toyota are in another -like marketing for example.
No single car manufacturer is 100% perfect in every facet of their business etc..
If Toyota were perfect you would expect we would all be drivng them. The FACT that we're not means that they don't suit everyones needs.. they're not what everyone wants in a car - as surprising as that may sound.
Sure he brings up some points for us to think about in relation To Toyota just as we do with Fords and Holdens - the only difference being the majority of Dingos comments are backed up with emotional/opinon based not to mention manipulated surveys]
But Dingos “Toyota is better because they;re Toyota” attiude prevents him from recognising accetping or understanding that.. so he goes off again repeating the same thing over and over again adnauseum.
Hes like the Boy who cried wolf – he goes on about Toyota so much that he becomes boring/annoying.. and just like the boy who cried wolf; when he does make a valid point no one pays any attention to him because to them its just Dingo going off again.
If only he had taken a different more civilised approach in the beginning – that is accepted the FACT that not everyone is as obsessed with Toyotas as much as he is… theb maybe people would listen to him now.
Yes BM there is a big difference… in the price tag between the two vehicles.
TP: Wagons are for 80 years olds. Youll want to buy a boring Falcon or Commodore for one of those.
Why would a coupel of 60 year olds want a big V6 or V8 wagon when: The kids have left home; they only drive to church on sundays or 5 minutes up the road to the shops or they live in a retirement village or nursing home?
Wagons are more for Families and those who actually have a life and have to take the kids to soccer buy a trolley load of groceries; carry odd bits of furniture or sporting equipment.
80 year olds dont need a car like that which is why they opt for a little runabout like a Yaris and you say us Holden . Ford fans are out of Touch with reality
TP – I assume thats your answer to my question. But acording to this Ford/Holden are dull. besides I’d love the reliability of a Toyota, so what wagon could have from the Toyota range?
Ralph, Toyota don’t offer anything to suit your needs, as they are all either cumbersome 4WD “trucks” or use too much fuel.
Try a Mondeo wagon with diesel (here soon).
Dingo, private sales are down, fleets up. That would explain Toyota’s good numbers.
Read my Ford comment…..they are redoing range and so is Holden.
Geepers TP…..wagons are for 80yrs olds! LOL. The Ford wagon is older at around 101yrs old, but the Sportswagon is more vibrant then Toyota’s best (around 30yrs old…..so assuming the 80yrs olds your spruik about is a Toyota lover). LOL your funny with your comment!
Naughtyius Maxiumus Says:
August 8th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Change point 4 oddball to majority and “NOT” at times!
Point 2 is evident tooooooooooooooooo much with you and the only way to deal with your many names is ignore such drivel. Do you work……I know you do with rsi of wrist as your incy wincy comments about everything boring is oveflowing!
Oh but GO Toyota – i did say I did not want a 4×4. What I really need is a wagon and I favour a diesel.
Yes the mondeo would do perhaps even the stylish commodor sportswagon but I really need that reliability you kinda get with Toyota.
I looked at their website but couldn’t see any diesel cars or wagons. I hope they do have them or its a serious ommission. Why? Everyone else does them, I see that even the Epica comes with a diesel engine now and they have rather nice Astra wagon in diesel as well.
July Private Car sales …
1. Ford – 10 521 / 60.4 %
2. Holden – 9 148 / 59.3 %
.
.
12. Toyota – 923 / 2.3 % Private sales are low, very sad indeed.
YTD 2008 … Fleet Sales
1. Toyota – 147 961 / 33.6 %
2. Holden – 78 271 / 12.5 %
3. Ford – 63 933 / 10.2 %
The resale for Toyota is very bad, they need to slow down fleet sales.
Uh Toyota Go – touched a nerve have I. I wouldn’t want a hybrid with crap performance and no gians in economy over a diesel. Just proving point that Toyota have no diesels in their car range in Australia, No Wagons in there car range in Australia. Your blinkered beyond all doubts. Got you hook, line and sinker there. Oooch!
SUV’s and 4×4 selling in record number. SUV’s mayby but not 4 x 4’s certainly not in the USA and UK where sales are in collapse with people choosing more economical vehicle instead.
By the way Dingo I don’t criticise Toyota – They are obviously proven vehicles with outstanding reliability and customer service that both Ford & Holden cannot currently match. I believe a lot of the Toyota slating here is only as a result of your own actions and comments. Folk here realise they are good vehicles in their own merit and are only having a good sport at your expense.
Yours truly signed No Name Oooch!
Admittedly the IS sells well here but the road test of the IS220 diesel state it falls waaaay short of others performance. Apprently the gearing is all to c0ck, so Lexus had to release a sport version with different gearing which improved things but not enough. I personally don’t think the IS is quite the cpackage its made out to be. Theres less rear leg room in the IS than there is in a Mazda 2 for instance. Thats one of the first things I look at in a car, how comfortable will the children be.
You have forgotten Toyotas 2.0 diesel a quiet performer but not a patch on the local stuff.
Please take note that the mighty Toyota sell 1/6th of the cars that Ford and GM sell here.
Realcars – the only major engineering simiarities between a Hilux and the Prado are the shared engines which co-incidentally are strong, hearty, robust, reliable / dependable donks.
The chassis’s are infact different but even if they were the same … it will make absolutely no differance becuase the Hilux is damn good unit to begin with anyway.
Oh yeah – if Toyota ranks strong in Customer Satisfaction Surveys becuase of fanatical Toyota supporters, then it really does suggest nothing about Holden and Ford because obviously even thier supporters don’t have much good to report about ‘em either … OOCH !!
You are a easy push-over … !!
Better not push to hard otherwise you’ll fall over.
Wheelnut – you are absolutely completely correct and i could not have said it better myself.
Wagons are for people with a life which is exactly why SUV’s and 4×4’s have bucked the trend and become popular. Infact, the sales of these vehicles continue to strengthen and incase you haven’t noticed … the RAV4, Kluger, Prado, Hilux and Landcruisers are all solid performers.
Better still, you have been one of the characters to critise Toyota as a cardigan company yet defended 80 year olds for having no use for large vehicles.
Durrr … isn’t that the reason why there are variety of vehicles of all shapes and sizes to choose from including what’s in the Toyota stable.
Gee Wheelnut – you are really on fire at the moment ain’t ‘ya !!
Oh yeah, incase you haven’t noticed … not every body is obsessed with Holdens and Fords and if you and someothers weren’t such fools all the time, maybe … just maybe – some people might take you fanatics (aka self cliamed car enthusiasts) a little more seriuosly.
Have a think about it champ !!
Quote [Din-Go Toyota]: Ralph – RAV4, Kluger, Prado, Landcruiser and perhaps even a Hilux should satisfy your wagon requirements.
So now you are referiing to the Prado/Landcruiser as a Wagon…? they are primarily Off Road vehicles and compete with Pajeros and Patrols not with SEDAN Based Wagons like the ones from Holden Saab Mazda Peugeot BMW Mercedes Benz VW or Audi.. which also include diesels
Because the traditional station/sportwagon is in a completely different market let alone price range to the Landcruiser not to mention built for completely different purposes.
As for the Kluger its a Compact Soft-Roader whose direct rivals within its category are the Forester; Territory; Captiva X-Trail and CRV
However by doing so [once again] proves my point that Toyota Fans like to compare apples with oranges or Yaris with Konigsieggs.
And your reply also shows that you don’t read what people say in full because Ralph said
Hi There – Hey Go Toyota – I’m in the market for a new car. I’d like a large wagon preferably diesel, up to date with all the gear i.e. rain sensing wipers, blue tooth etc etc. I REALLY DON’T WANT A 4WD (Prado) due to fuel concerns besides THE WIFE WOULDN’T DRIVE SUCH A CUMBERSOME THING
He doesn’t want a Toorak Tractor 4WD Mobile Fortress!!
Dingo says – “if you and some others weren’t such fools all the time, maybe … just maybe – some people might take you fanatics (aka self cliamed car enthusiasts) a little more seriuosly.”
We could say the same thing about you Dingo [refer to my comment where I mention how your behaviour is similar to that of the boy who cried wolf.]
You may feel that I am obsessed with Holdens [ not as much as you are about Toyota though] However; that is because just like you I will argue any points against Holden that I believe to be incorrect as others will in relation to Ford.
Quote “TP Says:
August 8th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Yes BM there is a big difference… in the price tag between the two vehicles.
TP price doesn’t come into it when being judged as the CAR OF THE YEAR by Drive,the Aurion didn’t get it simple as that.
Wheelnut – let me get this straight … you don’t appreciate me comparing SUV’s or 4×4 wagons to sedan based units (Commodore) yet it was completely justifable to compare a Maloo Ute to a TRD Hilux (4×4)
You swap and change any senario just to suit yur needs from topic to topic.
Shall we revisit that particular topic and see what you had to say and then compare those results to your latest comment.
referance : Ralph the Malph aka No name dated 08 August 09:50pm
quote
” What wagon can i have from the Toyota range”
Correct me if i am wrong but my reply was posted after that particular comment and not his first when he specifically referred to having no interest in 4WD’s
And Wheelnut … be assured i will counter your claims that i consider to be untruth, stupid or just downright wrong.
If you want to play games, go for it – i have all the time i want on my hands today.
Bavarian – the Aurion has received many rewards in it’s short stint on the Australian market todate including back to back ‘Large Car Of The Year’ by Drive.com.au, the same with Cars Guide and ‘Golden Star Awards’ with WHEELS. I believe RAC has pinned a gong on it aswell.
These are just what i can remember straight of the cuff without further thought.
The FG is a good car and i will not take that away from Ford but incase you haven’t noticed over the years, the industry is a constant game of leap frog and you can be assured Toyota won’t remain still with further development of the Aurion.
is this crap still going???
i forget where it was up to.
oh well, i got better things to do anyway
I have never compared a Maloo to a TRD Hilux – [even though Car Advice had an article on it earlier this year]
I merely responded saying that both the Maloo and the Hilux are perfect for doing what they are primarily designed to do.. given that the hilux is more suitable for off-road use whereas the Sedan based Holden Utes are much better on the road..
As I have driven both of them I can tell you that If I wanted a Jacked Up PICK-UP to go off road etc I would most likely buy a Hilux [Not a Rodeo as you may have guessed].. However; as I prefer sedan like performance and handling I would go for an XR6T/Pursuit/F6 or SS/Maloo UTE
Even though Ralph may have an interest in 4×44s However; [on Aug 8 at 9:14pm] he asked you what WAGON you think he should get and specified that he DOESN’T want A 4X4..
And in your response to him you suggested a Landcruiser Prado or Hilux which correct me if i am wrong are 4×4s… which proves that you DON’T read peoples comments in FULL
That is all.
Wheelnut – i do and that’s why i choose to respond to the one i did. You are gonna have to be alot more on the ball today if you wonna maintain the challenge.
read what i wrote and then tell me if it’s wrong … !!!
I’ll be waiting
If you want help, just ask … i’m a nice person
You responded to the comment Ralph made at 9:50am
Yet he made his first comment at 9.14pm inwhich stated that he didn’t want a 4×4 which is why at 11.57pm Ralph came back and told you that he didn’t wat a 4×4.
When you make a return to a blog after a reasonably long absence.. like working on Toyota Diesel 4×4s on a mine site [oh that's right Toytas are so reliable they don't need repairs]
Its an idea to go back to your last comment before you flogged off to see what has transpired since then.. That way you are more going to be more upto date more informed and able to make more intelligent appropriate responses.. instead of just picking comments at random
Because before your reply to Ralph at 10.02pm your last comment was at 4.45pm – that’s 5 1/4 hours later in which time there were 40 odd comments including Ralphs original statement where he said he didn’t want a 4×4…. the one you obviously missed
Wheelnut – there are no prizes for second place.
Ralph aka no name asked what wagon is available from Toyota and i listed the options.
Read my statement and then tell me if i am wrong … if you want help, just ask !!
Ralph did ask what WAGONS Toyota make yet in his earlier post he specified he didn’t want a 4×4.
you read and replied to his second blog and therefore didn’t get the full story as you missed his first blog advised him to look at the Landcruiser and Prado which aren’t WAGONS they are Full Size 4×4s [Off Roaders]
I mean have you ever heard a Landcruiser owner say “I own a Landcruiser Wagon” – they simply say I own a Landcruiser because everyone knows a Landcruiser is a Full Size 4×4 add NOT a Wagon
I can understand having to specify beteween commodore Wagon Sedan or Ute because there are differnet stylse but a Landcruiser is a Landcruiser pure and simple
And where in magazines or brochures etc does it say “The Landcruiser Wagon”?
which is why he re-iterated the point that he didn’t want a 4×4
The RAV4 is a Compact Soft-Roader Not a Wagon However thee Kluger is the closest thing to a wagon in the traditional sense of a car being a sedan based vehicle built to carry 4-5 people with an integrated enclosed cargo area and tailgate
BTW: A Hearse isn’t a Wagon nor is a Panelvan
Landcruisers aren’t Waggons – unless you are like Tomas79 who uses Broad/General definitions like – a Car is any wheeled vehicle which would even include a Wheel barrow unicycle or skateboard.. Get Real
If I was Ralph I would look more at Peugeots or VWs as they offer really nice looking and diesel wagons with an impressive list of standard features
Here it is Dingo – Just for you
Ralph the Malph Says:
August 8th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Hi There – Hey Go Toyota – I’m in the market for a new car. I’d like a large wagon preferably diesel, up to date with all the gear i.e. rain sensing wipers, blue tooth etc etc. I really don’t want a 4WD (Prado) due to fuel concerns besides the wife wouldn’t drive such cumbersome thing. Would a camry wagon or aurion wagon come with a diesel. Can you advise please.
Note the Time 9:14 which was bfore your reply
Go Toyota Says:
August 8th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Ralph – RAV4, Kluger, Prado, Landcruiser and perhaps even a Hilux should satisfy your wagon requirements.
Amoung those vehicles you will have the option of a 4cyl, V6, V8, petrol and diesel derivatives.
Happy motoring
Missing the point completely – so Ralph had to re-iterate with
Ralph the Malph Says:
August 8th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Oh but GO Toyota – i did say I did not want a 4×4. What I really need is a wagon and I favour a diesel.
You obviously went off his reply to TP
Ralph the Malph Says: August 8th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
TP – I assume thats your answer to my question. But acording to this Ford/Holden are dull. besides I’d love the reliability of a Toyota, so what wagon could have from the Toyota range?
TP also missed the point because his response to Ralphs post at 9:14 was
TP Says: August 8th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Wagons are for 80 years olds. You’ll want to buy a boring Falcon or Commodore for one of those.
When ralph clearly asked which TOYOTA DIESEL WAGON should he get..So don’t feel too bad TP misunderstood what Ralphw was asking too!
Go Toyota I need your help.
My new Aurion TRD recently stopped going.
It just makes a horrible clanking noise went I try to start it and blows clouds of black smoke.
My ex husband doesn’t want to know about it and has left me with the repayments and says it is now cheaper to buy than when we bought it together.
What do I do?
Dam, there is so much bogan jibber jabber on here, too bad I got to go, and can’t Address it all tonight…
Wheelnut Says:
“I mean have you ever heard a Landcruiser owner say “I own a Landcruiser Wagon” – they simply say I own a Landcruiser because everyone knows a Landcruiser is a Full Size 4×4 add NOT a Wagon”
Well, what does a landcruiser 79 owner driver then???
OOCCHH…
Case 2,
Type in “landcruiser” into the car advice search box, and then look for the 4th entry that comes up..
“2007 Toyota LandCruiser 76 Series GXL Wagon review”
OOOCCHHH….
Case 3,
Type in “landcruiser 2008” into the car advice search box, and then look for the 2nd entry that comes up..
“2008 Toyota LandCruiser Wagon”
OOOOOOCCCCCCCHHHHHHHH….
My Aurion is broken Says:
August 9th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
“Go Toyota I need your help.
My new Aurion TRD recently stopped going.
It just makes a horrible clanking noise went I try to start it and blows clouds of black smoke.
My ex husband doesn’t want to know about it and has left me with the repayments and says it is now cheaper to buy than when we bought it together.
What do I do?”
Check the badge, its definately a Ford FALCON, not a toyota!!
Adding the word Wagon is pretty much superfluous as its widely accepted that a Landcruiser is; a Landcrusier.. everyone knows what they look like and they know it’s a Full Size 4×4 Off Road Vehicle.
I mean you don’t hear people say I drive a Ferrari Coupe do you.. just saying you own a Ferrari is enough
Oh and I doubt that very few people either in the industry or on the street would ever refer to or regard the Landcruiser as being anything like a “Wagon.”
A “wagon” is more like an Audi Allroad; BMW Touring; Volvo V70; or Commodore Sportwagon – all of which are derived from and built on the same platform as a passenger sedan.
They are two different vehicles in the same way the Hilux is a Pick up and the Maloo is a ute.
However; adding the word Pick Up or Personnel/Troop Carrier if you happen own a 79 Series Landcruiser does make sense
Nonetheless the Fact remains Dingo missed Ralphs first comment where he statd that he Didn’t/Doesn’t want a 4×4 which is what the Landcruiser [essentially] is! – He didn’t have the full story
Dingo, yes sales of SUV’s and 4WD’s are up, but they are fleet sales. Private sales have fallen by more than large cars.
Fleet sales are proping up Toyota’s truck sales.
I agree Wheelnut they didn’t bother reading Ralph the malph’s question.
It’s now obvious that everybody apart from Thomas69 knows that the Prado is a Hilux and not a Landcruiser.
If it makes u feel better Thomas69 we can pretend it’s built on the “Lexus line”.LOL
In fact the old original Kluger was based on a Lexus which was probably based on a Camry to start with.LOL.
Good on yah wheelnut. I don’t believe a minute dingo had not read Ralph’s (me) comments. He answered the question attempting to sell me a bloody great 4×4. Its rather obvious what I was doing, pointing out that Toyota didn’t have a wagon in their car line up. Drongo obviously doesn’t know Toyotas full range, whilst they do not have a pure wagon they do indeed have the versio (Corolla versio in the UK) which is pretty much a wagon nearly. Just goes to show how blinkered Toyotaphiles are. Thank god we don;t all drive them. Good on yah wheelnut. Bad luck Dingo you lost that one. ;)