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Small cars: May sales overview

By Jez Spinks |
FIND DEALS

The Mazda3 edged out the Toyota Corolla in Australia’s May car sales, though a battle between the two Japanese small cars is guaranteed for the rest of the year as they also vie for status of best-selling vehicle overall.

Just 133 units separated the Mazda3 and Corolla last month, with the locally assembled Holden Cruze not too far behind with 2680 sales.

Hyundia’s i30 was fourth with 2159 sales though the South Korean brand has only just launched its second-generation version of its hatchback.

The fastest-growing small car featuring in the top 10 was the Ford Focus, which finished fifth for May with its best monthly result – 1667 sales – since January 2008. Focus sales have grown 43 per cent year on year.

In contrast, the Mazda3 and Cruze have grown only 5 and 3 per cent respectively in the same period, with drops of 6 per cent for the i30 and 13 per cent for the Mitsubishi Lancer that was the seventh most popular small car in May.

It was beaten by a strong month for the Volkswagen Golf (1591), though the Lancer is slightly ahead for 2012.

The Civic (1147) was a rare bright spot for Honda in May, with a fresh version released earlier this year helping year-on-year growth of 12 per cent.

The Subaru Impreza was also launched in new-generation form this year but is struggling. 1033 sales for May placed it ninth, but year to date sales of 3364 are down 41 per cent on May 2011.

The Kia Cerato completed the top 10 at the Hyundai Elantra’s expense (702 sales), though the Elantra takes that spot in overall sales.

Read our separate story on May 2012 car sales to see the winners and losers for the month.

May 2012
Mazda3                   3288
Toyota Corolla         3155
Holden Cruze          2860
Hyundai i30             2159
Ford Focus              1667
Volkswagen Golf     1591
Mitsubishi Lancer    1351
Honda Civic            1147
Subaru Impreza       1033
Kia Cerato                820
2012 to date
Mazda3                      17,899 +5%
Toyota Corolla            15,222 +12
Holden Cruze             13,380 +3
Hyundai i30                10,976 -6
Ford Focus                  7429 +43
Mitsubishi Lancer        6777 -13
VW Golf                       5951 -5
Hyundai Elantra          3635 -
Subaru Impreza          3364 -41
Honda Civic                3344 +12

 

  • Smart US

    impreza is overpriced… Focus is the best looking car all around

    • Hfxth

      Actually the Focus is the ugliest, most boring car to look at..

      I’m no biased why do ever, but the focus is just blahh!!…

    • Hfxth

      Actually the Focus is the ugliest, most boring car to look at..

      I’m no biased why do ever, but the focus is just blahh!!…

      • Hfxth

        *what so ever*

      • Hfxth

        *what so ever*

      • coolbeans

        How can the Focus be the “most boring car” to look at…have you forgotten the existence of the Corolla?
        Just my opinion.

      • coolbeans

        How can the Focus be the “most boring car” to look at…have you forgotten the existence of the Corolla?
        Just my opinion.

        • Hfxth

          No, Corolla may look kinda towards the conservative side, but it does not look ugly.. 

          The Focus design is like a big project that got terminated and just put together in a rush as an afterthought… 

          Specially the Hatch Focus, the epitome of bad design in my opinion.. 

          Pretty much all of Ford’s lineup looks rubbish, except for the Falcon which look original and classic.. 

          If i was to get a Ford, it would only be the Falcon, because it’s the only unique car which othe mainstream brands do not have..

          All  other Ford’s lineup are nothing special, brands like Toyota, Mazda etc have better alternatives 

          • tw

             You sound like an insane person ranting against reality. Please name one car in Toyota’s line up thats better than Ford’s. I will enjoy shooting you down on every point you make.

          • Sumpguard

               He’s right. The focus is poorly designed. As for one car that’s better than ford’s line up “toyota 86″ for starters.

               About all you’re shooting is yourself in the foot.

        • Hfxth

          No, Corolla may look kinda towards the conservative side, but it does not look ugly.. 

          The Focus design is like a big project that got terminated and just put together in a rush as an afterthought… 

          Specially the Hatch Focus, the epitome of bad design in my opinion.. 

          Pretty much all of Ford’s lineup looks rubbish, except for the Falcon which look original and classic.. 

          If i was to get a Ford, it would only be the Falcon, because it’s the only unique car which othe mainstream brands do not have..

          All  other Ford’s lineup are nothing special, brands like Toyota, Mazda etc have better alternatives 

        • warmjeans

          or the existence of the Golf?

      • D987

         Couldn’t disagree more.

        • Legnab

          Iam with you , if i was to jump out of my golf the best looker alternative is the focus hatch , looks classy and from close inspection looks well built with  a quality interior , the drive is reputedly good .

      • D987

         Couldn’t disagree more.

      • Matt

        At first glance it doesn’t look the best but seeing a Focus (especially the Titanium) on the road i’d have to say it’s one of the better looking small cars. With those 18inch wheels filling the arches it looks great in both hatch and sedan form. Also comes with German build quality

    • Schn

      In my opinion, the Ford Focus hatch’s rear looks like something from Kia. It’s not very appealing to look at either. 

  • Schn

    The new Nissan Pulsar is due soon. So I’m pretty interested in how this segment is going to shape up after it comes into play. Although, Nissan sort of does have to work harder, it looks like it may be a good contender. I personally think it’ll fall just behind the Golf. I think they might be able to offer something worthwhile for consumers. What do you guys think? By the way, when’s the new Nissan Pulsar due CarAdvice? 

    • coolbeans

      I think Civic sales will increase with the addition of the hatch, Thai production should boost Focus sales and new i30 will lift the Hyundai’s sales. So it will be tough for Pulsar to crack the top 5 unless it’s priced low with a huge marketing campaign. I mean if the Cruze could reach the top 3 with no badge history surely Pulsar can succeed!

    • sid

      Yes, with the new Pulsar, i30 and Honda Civic hatch coming soon, this segment will be getting pretty heated up.

  • Showtime

    Interesting that the Impreza is doing worse than 2011 YTD, considering the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami created supply shortages. I put it down to being a bit overpriced and not as stylish.

  • ABCDEFG

    The Aurion will out run all these lot :)

    • falcodore

      Until it comes to a bend or intersection and the dumb-witted Toyota driver doesn’t know which pedal to press and it crashes into some poor bugger’s shop or house ; )