Sales Records Smashed in 2012
The final sales figures for 1012 are in, and they make very interesting reading.
The full press release published earlier today is reproduced below.
“Official VFACTS data released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) shows that a total of 1,112,032 new passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were delivered to customers during 2012. This is a new record and only the fifth time ever that more than one million vehicles were sold in a year. The 2012 total represents an increase in volume of 10.3 per cent (or 103,595 more sales) compared with 2011. Announcing the result today, FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said the 2012 full year result was quite a feat in a world market that has been under financial pressure in recent years. It also reflects that the Australian market is one of the most open and competitive in the world. “Reduced tariffs as well as changing consumer preferences have contributed to making the dynamic and innovative automotive industry that we have today,” Mr Weber said. “The 2012 sales result bears that out. Customer demand has been high and the industry has responded with a wide range of vehicles powered by a range of different fuels.”
Mr Weber commented that the record result is also notable because of changing consumer preferences which are reflected in the segments’ changing market share. The single largest category was still the passenger car segment (51.9 per cent); however, the burgeoning SUV segment increased its market share by 3.3 per cent to 27.5 per cent with an all-time sales record set in 2012.
“For the second successive year a small imported car, the Mazda3, is Australia’s most popular model,” Mr Weber said. “The same vehicles as 2011 also hold the top five spots, but in a different order.
“And three of the top ten are also built locally, dispelling any suggestion that our domestic manufacturers aren’t producing cars that Australians want to buy.” Sales results Toyota was the best-selling vehicle brand in 2011, with 218,176 sales for a market share of 19.6 per cent.
Holden and Mazda finished second and third with 114,665 sales (10.3 per cent market share) and 103,886 (9.3 per cent) respectively. Mazda3 was the best-selling model for the full year, beating the Toyota HiLux by 3,482 vehicles to finish with 44,128 sales.
Toyota Corolla was third overall with 38,799 sales, followed by the Holden Commodore (30,532) and Holden Cruze (29,161). The SUV and light commercial segments led the sales charge throughout 2012, growing by 25.3 and 12.2 per cent respectively. Looking forward Mr Weber said FCAI’s outlook for 2013 was cautiously optimistic. “In 2012 Australia thankfully avoided much of the GFC aftermath and, with production resuming in disaster affected nations, the automotive industry was able to respond to the enthusiasm of the car buying public with great deals on an almost overwhelming range of vehicles. The record 2012 result was the culmination of these factors. “During this election year, and with production now having caught up with back orders, FCAI forecasts a national automotive market of 1,075,000 for 2013.”
SALES RESULTS Top 10 manufacturers (by sales volume):
Rank Brand 2012 2011 % diff
1. Toyota 218,176 181,624 20.1
2. Holden 114,665 126,095 -9.1
3. Mazda 103,886 88,333 17.6
4. Hyundai 91,536 87,008 5.2
5. Ford 90,408 91,243 -0.9
6. Nissan 79,747 67,926 17.4
7. Mitsubish 58,868 61,108 – 3.7
8. Volkswagen 54,835 44,740 22.6
9. Subaru 40,189 34,011 18.2
10. Honda 35,8 02 30,107 18.9
Source: VFACTS Top 10 individual models (by sales volume):
Rank Vehicle 2012 2011 % diff
1. Mazda3 44,128 41,429 6.5
2. Toyota HiLux 40,646 36,124 12.5
3. Toyota Corolla 38,799 36,087 7.5
4. Holden Commodore 30,532 40,617 -24.8
5. Holden Cruze 29,161 33,784 -13.7
6. Hyundai i30 28,348 28,869 -1.8
8. Toyota Camry 27,230 19,169 42.1
7. Nissan Navara 26,045 21,675 20.2
9. Toyota Yaris 18,808 16,214 16.0
10. Ford Focus 18,586 12,863 44.5
Source: VFACTS”