2007 year to date car sale statistics

By Alborz Fallah | May 05th, 2007

2007 may be the magical 1,000,000 vehicles sold year. Perhaps this year really is it, the industry has been waiting for a year like this for decades, and the news?

So far so good! Toyota unsurprisingly was again the strongest seller in April with over 16,000 vehicles.

Toyota (16,383)
Holden (11,166)
Ford (7741)
Mazda
Honda
Mitsubishi
Nissan

Official VFACTS figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show that 75,614 cars, trucks and buses were sold in April – up 6964 or 10.1 per cent on the same month last year.

This is great news as current year to date figures show the car market is up 9.0 per cent on the first four months of 2006 and up 5.5 per cent on the same period in the record year of 2005 (which was the best year on record).

“On the present bullish sales trends it is very likely that by the end of 2007 we will reach one million annual motor vehicle sales for the first time ever,” said FCAI chief executive Peter Sturrock.

Previously, Mr Sturrock has been a little unwilling to admit we will reach the one million mark this year, but with figures as strong as these, a change of attitude is evident.

The Large passenger car segment was up 15.1 per cent in April and is now up 4.5 per cent for the year to date – this is helped along by the Toyota Aurion and the VE Commodore, the all new 2008 Falcon will help this sector grow even more come next year.

In the Medium segment, Australian-built Toyota Camry sales were up 57.0 per cent last month and 32.1 per cent year-to-date thanks mainly to the introduction of a new model.

“As we forecast, the new generation of Australian models launched by Holden and Toyota have gained momentum and are selling very well – which should give great heart to the local car industry,” said Peter Sturrock.

Mitsubishi’s struggling 380 has been slowly gaining some ground but with stiff competition from Toyota, the Adeliade manufacturer is still struggling. However, that is not to say the large family car market is in trouble

“There is plenty of evidence in the sales statistics that there is still a significant market for larger vehicles in Australia.”

Mr Sturrock gave as an example the four-wheel-drive Pick-up segment, sales of which were up 25.8 per cent last month and 29.0 per cent for the year so far. Sales in the SUV Compact segment boomed in by 45.3 per cent in April on the back of new model launches.

Elsewhere, the growth of Light car sales continued last month (up 15.2 per cent) but the larger Small segment softened by 6.7 per cent.

Interestingly, 5 of the top 10 best selling cars in Australia are all from Toyota! In April Toyota sold 2999 HiLuxs, 2325 Yaris, 2202 Corollas, 1975 Camrys and 1715 Aurions.

Sam

cool, toyota reigns leaving the poor australian car industry in its wake. when will the australian government increase import tarifs to make it fair for the local car industry. holden and ford had better re-think their product range as well.
http://www.alborzfallah.com alborz

thats ridiculous, Toyota makes half of its best selling cars here in Australia
if anything Australian government should stop giving ANY money ot Holden n Ford, they are using our tax payer money to fund a backward design strategy that is obviously failing.
Myke

Toyota only make the Aurion and Camry in Oz and they sell fewer numbers then the Commodore.
Sam

^ they sell fewer than commodore, but last year commodores sales were at a 16 year low.

like i said alborz, ford and holden need to re-shape their line-up dramatically. im sure they realise the large car market isnt working anymore, but they dont seem to be doing anything about it. the holden barina has had a massive boost in sales over the past few years yet theyre main emphasis is on the VE. when i talk of australian auto industry failing i talk of australian manufacturers
Myke

The large car isn’t dead yet. Yes, it is dropping but it still takes a reasonable percentage in sales. Toyota released the Aurion when the market was thought to be dying and it sells solidly, about 2000 a month.
Damo

Gee, this Sam guy has just joint this site and he is already grinding my gears. Holden Barina, do not mention that car because this site ahs shown exactly how it is the biggest piece of shit money can buy. If I was to get the word “bogan” out, now would be the time. Sam really needs to learn that Holden is the worst Australian car manufacturer with the worst lineup of cars. They might as well become Daewoo.
Sam

actually damo, last time i checked, this site is about motoring enthusiasts who enjoy all cars with as little bias as possible? i guess ive come to the wrong place then as so far all ive seen is people bagging holden and ford at whatever chance possible

YES we know the local falcons and commodores have build quality problems, one of my friends who owns a dismantling yard says that most BA falcons have more rust that some of the old XC falcons (over 30 years old). Barinas are terrible? couldnt be any further from the truth

however i think for a country with only 20 million people and a gross domestic product lightyears behind japan, we do rather well enough.

anyhow i hope the aurion does well as its consistently scoring better than the VE in most magazines (except motor and wheels, of course)
http://www.pedalcar.com.au Lisa Preston

Damo ,your right this guy is a tool.

Never owned anything else than a fully sick commondoor bro.

Sam get back on your plough.

Everyone has always known that Holden has always been the poor cousin in Aus when it comes to Aussie built muscle!!!!! Mate you only have to look at what a phase 3 goes for now,holden will never match them . Stop dragging your knuckles and try driving something that has smaller panel gaps than Sydney Harbour.

I tell you what I will stop bagging Holdens when they make a good one.
Sam

for the record, i own a seat ibiza (built by volkswagen – great car) and am currently BUILDING MY OWN 2jz powered sil80. I dont own a fucking commodore, never have, dont intend to. we all know theyre not the best in the world of course, but your outward opinions astound me. i try and make a simple statement and am walloped in the process

oh um while im at it, how many cars have you built lisa?
http://AustralianCarAdvice Dingo

Sam, feel free to dig Holden and Ford as much as you want because for generations upon generations Holden,Ford and thier loyalists bagged shit out everything else and it was sure as hell OK for them to do it. Now the tide has turned with many buyers flocking to all the other great, respectable car manufactuers and the bagging is being returned. If Holden and Ford loyalist don’t like being bagged then maybe the bagging should not have started from them in the very first place.

Myke, the combined sales of the Camry and Aurion is very healthy here in OZ. It has consistantly bettered that of the Falcon but less then the Commodore. Toyota Australia’s export market aswell is heads and shoulders above that of Holden’s shipping far more Camry’s off shore then Holden does Commodores. All good for our local industry and economy. One last point to consider, within the sales statistics of the Falcon and Commodore includes Ute’s. I guess this can become a debatable issue whether they should be classified as Commericals as all Hilux variants are.
Sam

i completely understand what your saying dingo, and am not saying that holden and ford can be compared to the likes of overseas manufacurers, it just shits me to tears when people try and attach the whole bogan image to people who own an australian car.
Damo

Seeing how you didn’t understand any of this and still believe that the Holden barina, viva, captiva, and epica are still good and not 5 year old rebadged korean crap I will construct a simple formula.

Holden lover= bogan

Denny Mooney (Holden ceo)= Korean loving American redneck

Holden Barina = Korean Crap

Holden = Denny Mooney+Barina/Captiva ect.+ American Redneck

:= Stereotypical Aussie Korean Loving Yank Redneck Bogan… Talk about multiculturalism. So who does Holden really mean a great deal too?

I thought you would have picked up that the Barina is a piece of shit when this site has mentioned the 2 star safety rating and shown how the Toyota Yaris (which according to you Holden cocktards is the worst car) kicks its ass in safety, handling, and reliability. Then there is the Holden Epica, piece of shit and gets its ass kicked by Honda Jazz, Corolla, Colt, all cars which the Barina thinks it can compete with. Your a joke Sam, just like Holden.
Sam

LOL WTF? fire up, please quote me where i actually said the barina is any good. PLEASE QUOTE ME WHERE I SAID HOLDEN WAS ANY GOOD.

i thought this was constructive criticism right up until the point where you demonstrated that your interllectual ability was infact worse than a bogan itself.

your so big and tuff behind that big computer screen of yours. if you want to say im a joke,come and say it right to my face in person. Until such time, i shall lower your status to that of a dickless pussy who hides behind his computer and wanks to transexual porn all day
Paul

Sam if it wasnt for your first post Id say your getting hard done by….but increase tariffs wtf is that? Find it hard to believe you aernt a Bogadore fan.
steane

Sam…good luck mate. Been there tried that. I think the secret is to use less syllables and write…more…slowly…and…maybe…they…will…understand…that …you…don’t…own…a…commodore…and…don’t…want…to..buy…one…you…are…just…expressing…an …opinion. Your not dealing with rocket scientists here.
http://AustralianCaradvice Dingo

Sam, please correct me if i am out of place but i get the impression that you refer to Commodores and Falcons as Australian. The fact is, they are ‘just as’ or ‘just as not’ Australian as locally manufactuered Camry’s, Aurion’s and 380′s. Infact, the locally built Camry and Aurion comprise of greater percentage of Australian sourced components then the other local trio. Wouldn’t that make it ‘MORE AUSTRALIAN’… !!!

Not only is Toyota Australia the only local manufacturer that is currently profitable, but also the only one hiring (engineering dept.) not firing of which is supported buy the largest export programme.

Sounds like to me that Toyota in todays modern era is contributing more towards our own automotive industry then any other.
Paul

Steane are you saying we should increase tariffs as well LOL?

I honestly think the protectionism of Holden and Ford is costing Australia more then the jobs etc these companies have here is injecting into it (Remembering they are U.S so whether they profit or not doesnt have a major impact on us… more the U.S!). Decreased competition as a result of these companies being protected by tariffs means increased prices of cars (costing consumers and fleets), less safety features (so more crashes and associated costs to people, emergency services, time off work etc), poorer quality vehicles (cost consumers more in maintenance) etc.
Damo

Okay Sam, for starters you sound even more immature with the whole, “come and say it to my face” thing you have going. Therefore I must lower my opinion of you. Wanking to transexual porn? Gee, do not know where you got that from so just keep your dirty thoughts to yourself. Computer screen? You see, I have a job, I am still being educated, I have a life and I realise that there is a whole world other than my computer and slagging people off. You don’t. Were you aware that internet costs money? Stop using that Government computer partially funded by my tax payer money, stop wanking, slagging, get a job, friends, a girlfriend. Then I will think of you in a higher opinion. It isn’t just that you consider Holden and Ford Australian I consider you a fair bogan. It is also how you are talking to me. So next time I see a person who resembles you I will be yelling out, “Mahh”, “Bahh”, “yooooooh”, or something of the like to send you a message that implies you really are a true blue aussie bogan. The whole, see me on the street thing and say it to my face? I am terribly sorry but I don’t usually talk to tossers and you are definetly no exception. I don’t see why you go on this site, you won’t ever afford any fo these cars. Not even a Barina. DOn’t lie and claim to own naything. Your just well, a bogan.
steane

No Paul there was no personal expressed opinion in my post. Have another read. Thanks for your usual diatribe though. I’m sure someone will read it.
Paul

Your defending his ridiculous opinion… fair to assume you support his claims until your last post now denying it.
Nicholas Renwick

Dingo, you are wrong, all the Australian manufacturers are in profit, GM and Ford worldwide are in terrrible shape but their Aus arms are profitable. Mitsu in Aus and worldwide are well back into profit. The 380 currently returns profit to Aus and Japan. It’s 600million budget (same as spent on Aurion-toyota just spent it on diff styling and more complete interor while its torque and handling credentials suffer-every review says that from wheels to drive) came from Mitsu Japan not Aus so as soon as the first one was sold it was making profit. It would be silly to stop making a profitable car, while it isn’t a huge profit, mitsu aus does very well with the imported cars, all their models have enjoyed growing sales as the brand returns to its former strength. We have a 380 and simply love it, we’ve had too many dodgy commodores in the past to be lured back, we did look at the VE but were put off by lack of features and the great expanses of cheap plastic and of coarse our history with awfull holdens. The Aurion too me looks like a big Camry, it shares many parts with the last camry. the 380 from all reports handles as well as the VE and scored much higher than it in the RACV/NRMA etc new car awards. 8 points behind the Aurion and about 50 ahead of the VE.
Nicholas Renwick

has anyone else noticed the unbelievable bias Wheels has to Holden? It is sickening. The recommend the 2star safety rated Barina for christ’s sake! They also seem to hate Mitsu with a passion, makes me wonder how much Holden pays. I have been told from a mitsu employee that they won’t pay for stories.
280ZX

Yeah i agree with Nicholas Aurion looks like a big peice of shit camry and for all you knuckle heads who keep bagging “Aussies” why dont you piss off to Japan since you love it so much and drive over there??
Go on ! Piss off….
Sam

^agreed, that and motor magazine (who are co-incidently owned by same publisher wheels). aurion has beaten VE in most comparisons EXCEPT motor and wheels. go figure

damo, u fucking initiated this whole argument by running your mouth off. that shows a weakness of immaturity and lack of self worth. your critical nature shows that you were not really loved and indeed shunned as a child. i have better things to do than start internet arguments wherever possible. i merely state facts, not opinions, some of which are debatable. whoever said im always right, whoever said your always right. if you want to take the leap to PERSONALLY critisize me, like i said, say it to my face because I nor noone appreciates a little E-wang trying to fight on the internet to garner some kind of respect. Personally, i couldnt give a shit for boring family sedans anyway
Perry

280ZX, y dont u piss off to the US or Korea to support your “local” “Australian” “domestic” “patriotic” manufacture of the year “Holden-Wheels Co.”
280ZX

Ummm Perry i dont read it ! So who’s supporting Wheels me or you? And also i thought i told you to piss off!
Myke

“agreed, that and motor magazine (who are co-incidently owned by same publisher wheels). aurion has beaten VE in most comparisons EXCEPT motor and wheels. go figure”

Wheels and Motor test their cars against what drives the best, so therefore the Commodore and Falcon are praised highly. Other publishers such as Drive and RACV, have other sets of critera, that don’t focus around driveablity. Haven’t you noticed with some of the crap cars they highly flavour?

Wheels has never stated they were happy about Holden switching to Koreans rather than top-grade Euros. Publishers can’t say that everything about a car is absolute crap, they have to be good points about it. The Barina is cheap and that’s the only real good thing about it and for people really low on cash, it’s better than nothing, plus you don’t buy a car, to hope to crash it.
Nicholas Renwick

What a stupid argument. Of coarse you don’t buy a car to crash it. But you need some crash safety don’t you and the Barina has the lowest of any new car in Aus, and when tested, some of the features it did have failed to work. But there are other cars in the same class and price range of the Barina with far superior safety ratings. The Hyundai Getz, the Proton Savvy, and if you are looking at the top end of the Barina range then cars like the Honda Jazz and Mitsubishi Colt come in around 15990 tho 06 colts are on sale for 13990 and 06 Fiestas for 14990. Wheels has many of the same criteria as Drive and RACV and even if the others are more comprehensive, in the handling and performance categories the 380 still came out ahead of or equal to the VE and Falcon. And wheels has praised the Barina as a fun drive etc, the heavily play down any negative aspects.
Paul

QUOTE = Wheels and Motor test their cars against what drives the best, so therefore the Commodore and Falcon are praised highly. Other publishers such as Drive and RACV, have other sets of critera, that don’t focus around driveablity. Haven’t you noticed with some of the crap cars they highly flavour?

Although they might not place a high weightong of vehcile dynmaics, its still tested and even then cars like the Aurion get favourable reviews while Wheels dont reflect such opinion. The wheels owned by Holden argument is old and everyone knows the truth!

And Nicholas, you make some good points… but you have ago at wheels but your first post was not far off brochure material for the 380
Damo

Agree with Nick and Paul pretty much. The 380 and Aurion kill the commonwhores and falcadores in terms of reliability, refinement, safety, fuel economy, and it is really just effortless. The 380 was the only locally manufactured vehicle to make it on the securest list of cars on the Aussie market, it gets a 4 star rating at the moment and is on track to get a 5 star one as soon as they implement curtain airbags which will be occuring on the series 3 or 4. I won’t go into the update models situation and why they have decided to cutback on some of the updates on the series 3 but the series 3 still has some substantial differences but series 4 by the end of 2008 will be more like a new model than an update. Now for the Aurion, don’t you love the fact that it beats the bomadore in so many aspects, beat Holden to the ABC COTY and yet Holden wasted 1 billion on their vehicle. Mind you, the way most of the models look (Omega-Berlina) which get the shit gearboxes and everything else, it seems that they only invested 250 million or so, and I thought that it would have been smarter to do something like that and develop 2-4 vehcicles instead of this Korean crap.
http://AustarlianCaradvice Dingo

Nicholas, YOU ARE WRONG !!. Holden, Ford Australia and Mitsubishi Australia have all reported losses for a couple of years each. Holden has reported unprofitability for 3 consecative years.

Take time, research and identify for yourself.

Toyota Australia is the only current local automotive manufactuer returning profit. And also the only automotive company that has not decreased production and retrenched personnel within the last few years. Toyota i believe is actually recruiting within thier engineering dept. Holden just recently retrenched and eased production until a later date to be announced.

The Camry shares most of it’s components with the current Camry not the last. I do appreciate your input and find your reading good how ever.
Nicholas Renwick

Not in recent years they haven’t. As i said GM and Ford worldwide post massive losses but in Australia all are profitable, particularly toyota and ford. Look into it, it has been all through the papers with ford cutting back staff in the US etc
http://AustralianCaradvice Brian Barry

Dingo is correct Nicholas. Just looked at it myself under BRW.

The 380 that you have purchased will be a far better car then any Commodore will ever be. Mitsubishi is actually making good cars and the 380 is a damn fine example. I would buy a 380 any day before a Commodore as i too share some horrible experiances with poor grade, under-engineered, dismal quality controlled cars from Holden. The Toyota Aurion is also a damn fine car.

280ZX – Holden is not Australian but a 100% owned subsidary of GM therefore is American. So, go on and piss off back to America and drive over there or go to Korea and drive a Holden if you love them so much. Better still, get yourself tangled in a 2 star crash rated Holden.
280ZX

In relation to Brian Barrys comments Quote= ” Holden is not Australian but a 100% owned subsidary of GM therefore is American. So, go on and piss off back to America and drive over there or go to Korea and drive a Holden if you love them so much. Better still, get yourself tangled in a 2 star crash rated Holden”
So i have it all wrong ! Oh okay so lets change the song to ” Football, Meat pies, Kangaroos and Toyota?
Yeah sounds reeeeeeeeeeeeeal good ya dickhead! How quick we forget! I can tell you now alot more Aussies were conceived in the back of a holden than a Toyota! LOL
http://AustralianCaradvice Brian Barry

Bring it on 280ZX. Who sponsors AFL, the Adelaide Crows, helps finaces ARL and sponsors North Queensland Cowboys… ‘TOYOTA’ NOT HOLDEN.

Who become successful and gained a robust reputation for thier outstanding contributions to one of Australia’S most iconic undertakings – The Snowy Mountain Scheme… ‘TOYOTA’ NOT HOLDEN.

And, lets travel to ‘REAL AUSTRALIA’ were most of our agricultural, horticultural, farms, mining, and heavy Industry’s can be located of which are the largest contributors to our successful and booming economy. What vehicles are considerably and most diversly chosen to satisfy the hard, rugged nature in this field…. TOYOTA’S NOT HOLDENS.

Farmers, Tradies, the resource sector and Heavy Industries ALL choose predominately ‘TOYOTAS’ NOT HOLDENS becuase they are by far the most capable workhorses of all. And, how many people would have been conceived in the back of a Cruiser.

I suppose you didn’t cast your narrow mind wide enough to consider ALL OF THIS. Besides, Toyota do more for our local economy in modern times then any other automotive company and todays dollars feed my family not far away yesteryears. Get over yourself dickhead and move on. Isn’t a 280ZX a Nissan hence Japanese… !!

And before i finish… who is the only one returning profit, hiring and not firing and has the largest export programme which not only helps secures local employment but a further booost to our automotive economy… ‘TOYOTA’ NOT HOLDEN.
http://AustralianCaradvice Peter Lorry

Well spoken Brian. You forgot a couple of things though.

Toyota outsells Holden – has a reputation for producing rugged, reliable, dependable and durable vehicles that Holden does not share and the names Landcruiser and Corolla have been recognised on Australian shores for a longer period then any current Holden name including Commodore. Infact, the Falcon has been selling in Australia longer then Commodore so how is Holden anymore Oz – i ponder the same question.

IT IS NOT.
g

Wow. what a difference a year makes!!
now at the end of 2008 the local car industry is in dires… and so are other global autos too! To only autos that seem to able to ride out this storm are the ones who are the japanese! although they are hurting as all autos are – in this global recession time.

But with the last 5 years of high demand for cars, the autos who mainly focused on fast/power cars and not prioritising in fuel efficient cars are now hurting… because ppl are looking at fuel prices just like in the 1970s oil crisis!! E.g. GM/Holden, Ford, etc. all in recent years increased their product line in bigger engines!! yes there are more fuel efficient then say a car of same power 10 years ago… but why are demand for small cars increasing?? Mazda and Honda have increased their local share in the auto industry mainly due to investment in the compact, small and medium segments… and then you see holden and ford still investing in multi-million into large cars!! where they could have been invested in small-medium cars…

This just proves that old habits are hard to change, and the ones that can change (for the sake of change) will be better off in the long term, even though short term may be painful.

Oh well… this is my observation with hindsight on this issue… i’m sure we all can see the light now… but what will the future hold after we ride this current storm!! What about the cost of global pollution!! The effects of the 20th century and industralisation (negative parts) are still liggering… hmm. Where are the fresh new ideas for the future!??