September Sale Figures
October 4, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
Official sales figures for September released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show that despite high interest rates, the upcoming election, and many other uncertainties, Australians are buying more and more new cars.
The bad news first, figures show a 10 per cent decline in the sales of small passenger cars and a 2.3 per cent decline for the passenger car market in general. However as a whole, sales grew by 3496 units or 4.4 per cent compared to the same month last year.
“The decline in passenger car sales last month was narrowly based and entirely due to slower sales in the Small car segment,” said the chief executive of the FCAI, Andrew McKellar.
The September figures put the year-to-date market growth at 8.3 per cent.
“The overall motor vehicle market remains very buoyant and it is notable that sales of larger vehicles such as SUVs and four-wheel-drive utilities are up significantly, suggesting that consumer confidence remains high.” Mr McKellar said.
Showing that small cars are not the saviour of the industry, the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) market grew by 2666 sales or 20.2 per cent over September 2006 (helped along by the new Toyota Kluger), meanwhile the Pick-up/Cab-chassis 4×4 segment was up 1305 or 23.3 per cent.
Once again Toyota was the bestselling brand last month with 18,358 vehicle sales, ahead of Holden with 11,632 and Ford third with 8818. So far this year Toyota is the top-selling brand with 174,866 – a lead of 62,563 over Holden.
Sales are expected to pick up with a whole range of new models set for launch at next week’s Australian International Motor Show.
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Maybe poeple are realising that buying small doesn’t necesarrily mean ‘big fuel savings’!!!
My 6 cylinder only uses 1-2 litres more per 100km when compared to a corolla and provides a vastly better driving experience!
This is true, Fuel costs are the least expensive outlay overall to ownership of a vehicle.
People only think fuel is the most expensive as they fill up reguarly…
maintenance, insurance and depreciation are not taken into account by most people.
When you actually consider how much better a falcon is for example on fuel compared to even 5 years ago the advantages of owning a small car dwindle.
For example, a new camry 4cyl going by the average ADR fuel figures uses only .03 less l/100klm than a 6speed auto falcon.
Friends of mine used to own an echo and it’s more expensive to service than what their new Mazda 6 is…
Umm for starters going off offical figures the Corolla is nearly 3L per 100km more efficient, a $1.20 per L and travelling 20,000kms a year that translates into $750 a year cheaper! Over the life of the vehicle, say 10 years, $7500 in your pocket. Furthermore base model vs base model there is a $15,000 difference. So over the life of the vehicle you save in excess of $22,000. Im just mentioning this for perspective, at the end of the day comparing a Corolla to a Falcon and the like is pointless, someone buying a Corolla in most cases doenst need nor want a family car like a Falcon, as they dont need its size.
While it is great to use official figures, not many cars actually achieve what the manufactureres state.
The best method to determine fuel consumption is honestly to drive the cars you are looking at over the same conditions and compare the results. Understandably not many people can do this and is part of the reason for having official fuel consumption tests.
I am lucky/unlucky enough to drive a lot of hire cars through work and if you are to base fuel consumption on ‘being able to keep pace with traffic’, every corrola I drive returns close to 9-9.5 l/100km, the camry 10-12 l/100km.
Over the same conditions my falcon uses 11.5 -12l/100km and betters/equals both on the freeway (6.9-7l/100km). It is also cheaper to service and maintain than both. The only downside is depreciation as pointed out by Adam but that has been influenced a lot lately by the publics perception of ‘fuel effiecient cars’.
But with a new base model corrolla costing close to $25000+ on the road, I would much rather go seconhand and buy an 18months old falcon/commodore for the same price and enjoy a much better driving experience!
Also
Toyota Paul, as most of corrolla sales are now with the Fleet Market, a Corolla/Falcon/commodore comparison has great merit as this was originally the domain of the big local cars.
Alec I do have to point out an error there,
the new Corollas come with a new service guarantee, you pay only $120 for services during warranty period
http://www.caradvice.com.au/27.....advantage/
Paul…
I compared a camry, not corolla for a start and have you tallied the rest of the costs up to prove your point? no…
there was an article on Drive.com they had worked out all the figures, fuel WAS the cheapest aspect.
I used the ADR figures as they are the most accurate figures you can use as an AVERAGE, obtaining any other sort of figures is going to be too difficult, heck the Aurion uses way more fuel than what the ADR figures indicate also…
but you have me beat why any body would buy a new camry!? the package overall is not good for a 4cyl car, the weight makes the 4cyl use too much fuel.
Adam I was responding to the other poster who compared it to the Corolla… on the Camry, well comparing it to the Falcon as you have, its going to be slightly more fuel efficient, its cheaper to purchase and overall I think it would achieved a favourable cost per km due to Toyotas reliability. But I personally wouldnt buy one and I think the market has also moved in this direction, dont see heaps of Camrys about, the Aurion I believe has killed the Camry as it offers far better value for money.
Paul,
If your trying to make a point though, work out all the running costs figures, my original point is people don’t think about the other costs, you proved my point by the way you responded!
Cmon guys a small car more costly then a large car… get real! Here are the official figures from NRMA on operating costs, based on 15,000kms travel each year:
Falcon : $230 per week
Corolla : $175 per week
Camry : $200
Id link NRMA but then this post would be ‘pending’, so head across if you dont believe me.
^
There you go Adam! Happy?
Oh and 3 posts in a row… but I also used the higher Camry and Corolla costs while I provided the lower end of Falcon costs (LPG). So the gap is even bigger then that post of mine would indicate.
Paul,
What costs have they included? depreciation as well?
shall i try and find the drive article?
thanks alborz,
wasn’t aware of corolla service deal.
Was using info based on recently superceded corolla.
Also Toyota Paul, the NRMA factors in depreciation into its runnings costs. I wouldn’t mind betting the depreciation on new corrolla will be a lot worse than current model due the sheer number that have sold in last few years thus affecting it weekly running cost figure
Mate just admit defeat, the initial argument was about operating costs… NRMA which is far more reliable then a motoring mag shows that these small vehicles are far more cheaper. As for what it considers, tbh Im not sure… however if I was to hazard a guess Id say it may include deprectiation (defintely mainentenance and insurance as you mentioned orignally) because it breaks up costs into weekly running costs and weekly total costs.
Alec perhaps, although Corollas have always sold well to fleets… and so do Falcons. They all suffer badly from depreciation. Regardless, relating to the original argument, a small car is clearly cheaper to run, as common sense would dictate.
Those are NRMA based figures…
It also depends on the type of car you buy, a mazda 6 for instance will be just as expensive to run o fuel due to the fact that it’s requires Premuim fuel, as opposed to most 6cyl needing on standard grade fuel i know because i’m buying next year so i’ve checked the costs out…
Ok, this little debate is going nowhere.
I agree a small car is cheaper to run, my original point was that small doesn’t necessarily mean ‘big fuel saving’.
Alborz, enjoy your site, the regular updates keep me occupied when the days at work are slow!! I have been finding that by the time my monthly wheels mag hits the post box I already know 70% of the info!!
Thanks Alec, I think, going by the figures, the Australian population agrees with your original point.
It’s not a black and white pircture Paul…and my original point was people don’t check costs out, the automatically assume a big car will be worse off, not the case…
Even the type of driving you do makes a difference, service intervals too…
I’ve sold used cars and i see how people react and the lack of information they have in relation to fuel usage.
Alec…
Agreed and thats IS the point!
Alborz,
that was a compliment, although was probably a little unclear!! haha
Really enjoy the site and keeping up to date with the Auto world. I read all sorts of auto based media and this is currently the only one that continually provides daily and hourly updates!!
have a good one.
Alec, I know it was (and I was saying thanks)! And another thanks for the second round of compliments, and a third thanks for visiting, now I am running out of thanks!
Geeeeeezuz you two why dont you just kiss each other LOL
Adam you originally said the advantages of small cars have decreased to make something like a Falcon more comparable, I think the figures Ive provided, a difference of $2500 annually, would still indicate a huge difference. I agree though with the rest, people dont consider other variables, like in the past something like a FWD V6 cost a fortune to maintain with for example changing spark plugs (due to the rear bank) and timing belts (due to a lack of accessibility) being quite expensive… compared to now where they for example use longer life spark plugs and chains instead of belts.
Corolla’s also suffer from bad depreciation.
—————————————–
Hardly. You should check the prices on Corollas, they are quite high in residual value as the years go on. The fact that the starting price is lower also helps reduce running costs as the actual dollar amount depreciating is less.
Yeah I think the NRMA figures highlight how overall the Corolla is better. I wouldnt say the Corolla is the best in terms of depreciation as any fleet vehicle isnt great, but its certainly going to be better then a Falcon and Commodore. The Corolla sells only 60% to fleets while those other two sell in excess of 80%. Once those vehicles go from fleets into the market, floods it, supply > demand, prices go down more…. not to mention due to Toyotas reliability they tend to hold their value alittle better.
i thought the original argument was that fuel costs arent a big issue when it comes to running costs.
i agree with that, fuel costs dont even rank alongside other running costs.
i know because i can claim my vehicle on tax so i need only flip over to my spread sheet of figures to easily prove it to myself
just quickly as i do check my running costs on my falcon, they are about half of what you have displayed Paul. maybe i missed something when i did it quickly but i dont see what it would be to amount to that?
ALEC – it was very recently reported the percentage of cars that are sold to fleet.
Commodore was about 80% with the Falcon a similar amount while the Corolla was about 40%.
40% is not most !!
if u want a camry, just get an aurion.
is there anywhere to obtain information on official manufacturer service costs for new cars? as well as the guarantee that they will charge only that amount (i.e $120aud for toyota service)
Blinky…
Have a another look at those fleet sales for corolla currently…they are increasing, i know for a fact that Bluecare nurses who run a big fleet of cars and who used to have Holdens, switched to Fords now they are going to camrys and corollas.
Also more corollas and camrys are used as rentals than falcons, i know because i work for an auction company that sells ex-rental vehicles.
sexythang…
Yes Toyota has fixed price servicing for a set period of time, i wonder if this excludes fleet and goverment sales?
Also falcon and commodore are very cheap to service in general, i wonder how toyotas fixed price compares to standard falcon and commodore pricing?
I read a 2006 article at Drive, the Corolla sold 60% to fleets and the Falcon and Commodore as I stated sell in excess of 80%. 20% is a prity big difference. Also as I eluded to earlier, I think Toyotas and especially the Corollas reputation for reliability means depreciation doesnt hit them quite as hard, although being a fleet car its certainly not one of the best cars in that regard.
Andrew.M Im going to go off NRMA, a prity reliable source. As for fuel costs issue, of course it isnt a major component… in fact in that NRMA example the total cost was $230 while the fuel cost was only something like $40. As for the originaly argument… it was about fuel where I showed a Corolla is still significantly cheaper to run then a Falcon at $750 per year or $7500 over a 10 year life (even though fuel costs might not be the biggest cost) and then I showed once it moved onto servicing, maintenance and depreciations costs the Corolla is still cheaper, in fact, the gap widens.
so it’s 60% not 40%, sounds about right. My point is fleet sales are rising for Toyota, they are chasing market share.
Paul, if you are worried about fuel costs it just doesnt make sence to me that a small car is the answer. why not get a large car and put it on gas? then it would smash a small car on fuel costs still give you power and space.
i mean large cars are also called family cars because there is no substitute for space. say you have a baby seat in a small car then you only get half a seat either side of it. why would anyone compromise and lose the space over say $550 a year more in fuel costs?
fuel cost as the reason for people choosing them is a load of bull. more like the fact that you can get them for $20K
but then there is the age old saying that you get what you pay for.
oh and with the NRMA running costs is there anywhere where it shows the break down of their calculations?
because i make it a hell of a lot less than what they came up with.
so from your last post aswell what are you saying costs $750 a year??
actually i just did a quick figure and found that the rolla is only $450 a year cheaper on fuel which is only $8.65 a week. im sure most people could find $8.65 a week by turning lights off when they are not using them.
It was more like $750…. regardless I am saying that smaller vehicles are way cheaper overall, which includes fuel (Yes its not the biggest component, but as I showed, over a 10 year life thats $7500, not everyone is well off enough to throw money away on a large car becuase for example it has more power… when they dont need it)
ok paul i was using the same base of 15,000ks a year as you showed in the NRMA calculations which only equates to $450 a year.
if you are deadset worried about fuel costs why not get a gas falcon? then you would save $7500 on top of the small car over the 10yrs making it much cheaper than a small car to run.
yes fair point many people might not need a large car but give me one anyday. i think the fuel consumption trade off isnt worth it.
so has anyone got an answer on the breakdown of how NRMA reaches its running costs?
i find it hard to believe that it costs $12K per year to run a car
also the only reason a large car suffers is it is in a different price bracket to a base small car. if you took an upper level small car that was priced the same as a large car then running costs would be pretty much equal.
the initial cost of a vehicle affects insurance, depreciation, loan interest etc etc.
so if people are going for the upper spec small cars that can cost the same as a large car are they really saving?
My BA Falcon LPG ute gets me around 570kms at $46 tankful. Roomy and big and still oddles of power. How much does a Toyota Corolla cost to fill up Paul and how far? My point is LPG is great and save bigtime on it when doing 40000kms per year!
Yes and an LPG Corolla would go even further… compare apples to apples, fact is a smaller car is more efficient, whether that trade off with power etc is one you as an individual are willing to take, is subjective.
Andrew.M…. the NRMA uses, as per a link previously given here:
“The NRMA calculated operating costs based on a combination of weekly running costs (the cost of fuel, tyres and regular servicing) and a number of fixed costs associated with owning a car (depreciation, registration, finance and insurance costs).”
Its not hard to belive that a car would cost $12k per year, because you have to consider depreciation for example… something that the effect of isnt realised until you sell the vehicle. Also not sure if NRMA does but you could also consider the orignal purchase price, so if the car lasts 10 years and cost $35,000, thats $3500 per year in itself. So when you think about it, not that hard to believe… and on this basis of considering all costs, a smaller car is always going to be considerably cheaper, going off the figures I previously provided, the Corolla would be $3000 cheaper then a Falcon per year. If you want to make it look even worse, consider what that amounts to in pre-tax income, especially if your on one of the higher brackets.
Pauly, Iam in the high bracket and Falcon is good value. It really depends on many factors and of course the Corolla will be cheaper then Falcon. Paul, look at the i30 – it has top reviews and diesel with unbelievable economy that has unreal features and quality. Hyundai are flexing there stature and come of age BIG BIG time. Go look at race and see Holden v Ford (maybe one day Toyota and others might get there as it is STUPIDLY wrong why only those two makers there – should be a highlight for drivers anywhere from world to race in like in the days of the Ford Sierra)! Bring back the world stage to this evolving spectacle of a great race!
Paul…
There is no LPG corolla, hence an LPG falcon CAN be compared as falcon has that option to buyers, toyota does not.
Big, powerful and economy can be had with LPG, you can’t do that with a corolla.
ah Adam you beat me to it.
exactlly, you can not get an LPG corolla.
if we are talking what the cheapest on fuel that manufacturers produce the falcon (LPG) has it on the corolla (and well most if not all of the small cars)
and back on the NRMA study i still find it hard to believe. i only need to flick to my spread sheet to find that my falcon costs me nowhere near $230 per week to run.
dont forget that the depreciation figure becomes less and less each year. they would have to consider the average of depreciation over at least 3 yrs (or 5 years if they are serious) to give a fair indication.
here is a rough e.g
say a falcon for $34K
depreciation is
1st year $7650
2nd year $5929
3rd year $4595
4th year $3561
5th Year $2760
which all equals and average depreciation of $4899 per year
so put that with rough figures of
depreciation $4899
fuel $2000
insurance $ 500
tyres $ 130
servicing $ 250
rego $ 650
finance interest $2890 (and this gets less each year too but im not going to figure out an average here)
this totals $6420
im sure ive missed some little things like roadside assist (less than $100 or so) but you see my point?
it is still a long way off $12K
these studies assume the owner is over 25 (for insurance costs) and has a good credit history.
note: these are not MY figures they are pure example costs to try to understand whats going on. (personally my figures are even less than these)
so does anyone have any ideas how they calculate these things??
Here, here… just wanted to see if someone pointed out obvious and they picked up the LPG Corolla crap!
Trouble is you try to fit an aftermarket LPG conversion to Corolla, it will be a dual fuel and as we all know duel fuel is much worse economy then straight LPG (no petrol ever used in my ute) like in my BA ute (friend has a dual fuel Ford something [similar to Patrol}) and he gets 330kms to tank and costs 55 to fill up = crap!!! So you get a dual fuel LPG Corolla and it will be similar useless economy, not to mention a fair wad of HP lost in the equation = you will be watching life in the slow lane having Kia Rio’s overtaking you all day everyday and even small Hyundai’s! LPG Corolla – now how funny is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe LPG a Echo we will hear next???????????????????
Klink, how could you possibly think that a LPG Falcon would be more economical than a LPG Corolla??? There is no reason why it would have to be duel fuel (the only reason you just use LPG is if the tank can give you a big enough range!!), so if the tank was big enough a Corolla would run just on gas. Power losses and fuel cost savings would be proportional to the those of a Falcon… It just isnt done because fuel economy is pretty good anyway. Klink, if you’re going to have a go at someone, make sure you aren’t talking shit and you ‘evidence’ is relevant first.
Yeha Jbot you cant win with these people… apparently a family car is cheaper then a small car. Learn something every day.
Jbot,
the fact still remains that you cant get an LPG corolla. maybe Klink went a little over the top but the underlying fact still remains.
you see i bet if you did a survey to ask what the cheapest car in relation to fuel costs is (out of those that you can buy off the shelf/factory floor) bugger all would realise that the falcon LPG actually has it all over these small cars we go on about.
i am just drumming home the myth that people think you need to move to a small car to overcome the fuel price epidemic.
so anyone got an answer on the NRMA costings yet?
Jbot… mate if you are going to quote me get your facts clear as I never said a Falcon can outdo a Corolla on economy.
Hey boy, do Toyota make an LPG only motor for a Corolla – Ford are the only producer of cars that have LPG only motors that are not factory designed to be also run on petrol. Perhaps you need to also learn about Engineering as well when you have time off from Uni – where do you suggest the big LPG tank go on a little Corolla (in the backseat)… LOL BOTBOY – if your going to stand up on the soap box and spout forth watch out as you yourself are full of it!
paul well yes in terms of fuel costs a family car on gas is actually cheaper.
in terms of purchace price it is not. thats the only place where it is really dearer.
so what are your thoughts on the NRMA theory Paul??
Andrew M… no use reasoning with these kids, apparently LPG Corolla can be purchased??????? News to me!!!!!
Paul, you like debate and analysis; lets work out the equation of my ute against your beloved Toyota Corolla – seriously now as I will indicate to you it more then stacks up and is not the HUGE gap many think!
Andrew M, fuel consumption in a LPG vehicle in much higher than its petrol equivalent, but this is countered by LPG’s cheaper cost. However, there is still only a $2-3/100km difference in fuel savings compared to its petrol equivalent. This puts it closer to the small cars, but not quite there. So, if you need a large car and do lots of kilometres, LPG makes sense. However, downsizing is one of the best ways to reduce fuel consumption. Comparing the same fuel types is the only way to compare fuel savings by downsizing. If a LPG Corolla was available, it would be more fuel efficient than a LPG Falcon, just like a petrol Corolla has better fuel economy than a petrol Falcon.
Klink, I also never said a LPG Corolla could be purchased. With respect to the fuel tank, there could be a large space where the current petrol tank is, or, like in Falcons and Commodores, the tank could go in the boot. The size of the tank would depend on the needs of the person. I am the first to say that a LPG Corolla would not be ideal, but if you can’t see that small cars are more efficient you arent’ worth my time.
You should also remember that the Corolla is by no means class-leading for fuel economy. There are much more frugal small cars on the road.
Iam for small cars!
Here is my breakdown costs:
~ My BA Falcon LPG ute gets me around 570kms at $46 tankful of brisk driving. Corolla will roughly cost $1.30lt by 45lt tank – $58.50per tank and lets work on 8lt/100kms average cycle – 563kms (as had 4cylinders to what would happen to brisk driving???). Per tank it would cost slightly more for the Corolla based on filling costs only (guess Corolla would be around 45lt tank?). Plus side I have is roomy as, further I go the more I save, cheap services, Aust parts, cheap rego, depreciates quick compared to Corolla admit. I paid $15900 for mine 2yrs ago and would get that back right now. That is why it favours me as if I got new it would be slightly less appealing a proposition! Many variables come into any comparison!!
Jbot, mate of course small cars are great and economical; I love the Echo and it shits all over the Fiesta in my opinion too. Corolla just as nice. i30 looks the goods. Plenty of great little cars out there!
If you have long arms and shallow pockets was my analagy earlier concerning the Phoon with you then great hero car! Hot as! Not so great to incur its running costs as your arms will be stuck in your pockets!
Iam thinking of selling my ute and looking at i30 diesel or be bold and get Landrover Discovery as we have 2 big cars (if new 5star safety top of list followed by economy, engine, inclusions). Like the Yaris but wee tad small and still to be sold on little car 5star saefty in real world situation! If I sell my car Iam in front of purchase price and in my case great! WORSE IF I GOT NEW CAR!
Haha now you’re bringing used cars into it to void the depreciation factor! You’re right, many factors come into a comparison, but to have a fair and balanced comparision, those factors should be a similar as possible (except of course the factor you’re comparing).
If it was new it would really favour Corolla only cause initial outlay higher. But the more years both cars would be kept would narrow it borderline extremely closer (if not in Ford’s favour). The Corolla new on road cost would be around the $21 versus the Falcon ute around $30 plus government incentive = will not take long for ute to close the gap!
Mate if you want to waste money then do so; great big hero car and you are not on the Autobahn makes tremendous logic! LOL! My scenario makes great sense as got with very low kms and under new car warranty, claimed the GST on very low price I got and run up heaps KMS and will sell for more then what I paid. HA HA LOL YOU CAN HAVE YOUR HERO CAR MATE!
Remember when I say brisk driving in ute I mean snappy acceleration and 105kms in 100kms zones, sometimes tailgate close to someone speeding around 120ish and stay close to avoid cops (which proved cannot be booked as the cop could not pinpoint exactly who speeded on reading). Do that in the Corolla and the gap closes much quicker. Also too, my ute has full load of tools, etc for Supervising home building, etc to check contractors works so dare say economy would improve too. Another feather in Ford’s cap was model after 2003 had better fuel economy (think it was 5-10% better). GAP IS REAL CLOSE ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAS GOVERNMENT REBATE APPLIED WHICH NARROWS GAP AND OVER A LONG PERIOD (5YRS @35K kms p.a) DARE SAY FORD EDGES IN FRONT!
Oops @ last post… do that speed in Corolla and the gap closes much quicker as economy gets much worse in Corolla. Dare say lineball real quick and over around 2.5-5yrs Ford ute is in front say on 35K kms p.a!
Jbot,
yes maybe the falcon gas is only say $4-$5 per 100k cheaper (its not $2 like you say) but you have to imagine that over at least a tank full. round figures your fuel bill will halve in a falcon on gas
dont forget that the corolla is only like $2.50 per 100ks cheaper than a petrol falcon too.
which means the falcon (e-gas) is cheaper to run (in terms of fuel costs anyway)
also tell us again where they put the gas tank in the LPG falcons??
for your information they go where the fuel tank void is NOT in the boot
Now that many car companies are offering diesel… Falcon vs a Hyundai i30 at 5litres per 100km? an even bigger gap.
Sales are down, interest rates are up… there are many contributing factors when you consider how much australia’s economy has changed since 2005.
I cant believe you blokes admit to driving a 4cyl camry. They are the most under powered pieces of shit on the road, the type of car an elderly hairdresser would think she looked pretty good in. Forget depreciation and think humiliation if you had to own one. Falcons are at least a little fun to drive, much better than a microsleep inducing camry.
firstly hairdressers are too sexy to drive camrys.
elantraelite,
thats right diesels do get consumption a lot lower but diesel is still quite dearer
a gas falcon would use 3 times the amount of fuel but diesel is 2.5-3 times dearer, so only now are we seeing a small car out do a gas falcon on fuel costs.
the margin is now buggerall so i would look at what you dont have in a small car……or what you lose
have to agree on the i30… that diesel has plenty of torque to keep up with the falcon, and will maul it for fuel ecconomy! If only the new government would reduce the excise on diesel so it was 30% cheaper than petrol like it is in Europe- no one would bother with petrol or lpg!
had an e39 BMW 525tds while I lived in the UK, and it would sit on 80mph all day returning 43mpg!