NEWS
VFACTS for May: Corolla overtakes Mazda3
Battle looms large in small-car segment: Sharply styled new Toyota forging ahead of aging MazdaThe two top-selling cars in the country last month were both Toyotas – but it was the second-placed Corolla that has set tongues wagging.
On the strength of strong sales during May and April, according to industry statistician VFACTS, the Corolla is currently selling ahead of the Mazda3, which was the most popular car in the country last year – but may struggle to shore up that popularity with a new model due soon. Mazda Australia will need to walk a fine line if retaining the mantle of Australia's most popular car is important. With the new model expected early next year, the current vehicle will be entering a runout period beforehand. If Mazda clears its stocks of the old car too soon and can't supply the demand, it will lose buyers and the Corolla would benefit.
Not quite halfway through 2013, Corolla is just 350 units in the lead, but end of financial year sales are traditionally a boom time for Toyota dealers, so the company's small car may jet well ahead of the Mazda3 next month. Despite coming close on occasions in the past, the Corolla has never outsold either the Mazda3 or Holden's Commodore. In 2013 the Corolla could finally achieve that goal.
Other than as a headline act, however, the Corolla is not being promoted by Toyota as Australia's most popular car just yet. The company's Chris Beuth, divisional sales manager, is happy to share the credit with other models, including the HiLux, naturally.
"In May, Toyota's total of 19,003 sales was substantially more than the combined totals of our two nearest rivals," he was quoted saying in a press release issued today.
"Toyota dealers have now sold almost 84,000 Toyota vehicles this year, which is more than 40,000 ahead of any other brand.
"They tell us customers are responding to the style and dynamic appeal of new cars like Corolla and RAV4, as well as the reputation of all Toyota vehicles for their quality, durability and reliability.
"Toyota expects to pass 100,000 sales for the year during June, delivering more than 20,000 vehicles - a level no other brand has achieved in a single month."
As a footnote to the small-car grudge match, of the local manufacturers – and in light of Ford's announcement last month and the imminent introduction of the VF Commodore – the Falcon (707 sales) was just 75 units ahead of Toyota's Aurion, and Holden's VE Commodore (1647 sales) was outsold by the Camry with 1934 sales.
Across the whole market in May, sales rose 0.7 per cent, year on year, to a total of 96,788 for the month. Year to date, the market has achieved 454,953 sales, according to VFACTS figures released today, and the seasonally-adjusted annual rate forecasts a calendar year result of 1.129 million vehicles. For the first five months of this year, passenger vehicles have slumped, dragged down by medium, large and people mover segments. Total sales of 223,577 in this class represent a downturn of 4675 units for the year so far.
SUVs are more than making up for the passenger car decline, however. At 136,141 vehicles sold for the year to date, SUVs are 14,076 units ahead of the same period last year. Only the Upper Large segment (LandCruiser and Patrol, basically) has lost ground.
Light commercial vehicles are also ahead of the game for 2013. Sales of 82,874 for the year to May place the LCV class 9549 units ahead of the same period in 2012.
Top selling brands for the year to date are: Toyota (83,950), Mazda (42,720), Holden (41,064), Hyundai (38,065), Nissan (34,900), Ford (34,817), Mitsubishi (28,072), Volkswagen (22,434), Honda (18,368) and Subaru (16,594). Of the companies in the top ten, Toyota, Holden and Subaru have recorded lower sales for the year to date, in contrast with the same period for 2012. The other seven companies have all improved over the same period last year.
The 10 best selling cars during the month of May were: Toyota Hilux (3665), Toyota Corolla (3640), Mazda3 (3054), Mitsubishi Triton (2606), Hyundai i30 (2512), Holden Cruze (2133), Toyota Camry (1934), Mazda CX-5 (1773), Hyundai ix35 (1770) and Ford Ranger (1702).
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
Share this article
Written byKen Gratton
See all articlesOur team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Related articles
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
Contact
Local marketplaces
International marketplaces
Download the carsales app
