Australian & New Zealand February 2008 Sales Results: YTD Toyota Leads Holden 15,916!

[VB3.3]

Originally Posted by ericmvest

The battle is never over. I am glad Winston Churchill did not have this defeatist attitude when Germany pushed Great Britain out of France during WWII.

Never, never, never give up.
Winston Churchill

Yes old Churchill quite loved sending young Australians (and Kiwis) to get shot.

Now you want to send our cars forward in his name....

His no hero in my book

[teamkiwiracing]

Here are a few more posted by RATT from FF.com
Strongest Epica sales thus far, should improve a lot more if the updated model with the 6spd auto and ESC comes to Aus. Apparently the Diesel is coming too, so it should improve sales.

Holden
Barina --- 1289
Astra --- 1366
Viva --- 715
Epica --- 470
Commodore --- 4313
Ute --- 1453
Captiva --- 932
Rodeo 4x2 --- 497
Rodeo 4x4 --- 793

Total 12386 vs 13083 last Feb

Ford
Fiesta --- 723
Focus --- 1310
Focus CC --- 29
Mondeo --- 392
Falcon --- 2520
Fairlane --- 16
Territory --- 1299

Falcon ute --- 1207
Ranger 4x2 --- 862
Ranger 4x4 --- 626

Light:
Toyota Yaris --- 2280
Hyundai Getz --- 1605
Holden Barina --- 1289
Mazda 2 --- 1272
Suzuki Swift --- 1199
Honda Jazz --- 1072
Kia Rio --- 758
Ford Fiesta --- 723
Nissan Micra --- 614
Volkswagen Polo --- 603

Small:
Toyota Corolla --- 4191
Mazda 3 --- 2825
Mitsubishi Lancer --- 1682
Honda Civic --- 1665
Volkswagen Golf --- 1462 (!!)
Holden Astra --- 1366
Ford Focus --- 1310
Subaru Impreza --- 1225
Nissan Tiida --- 895
Holden Viva --- 715

Medium:
Toyota Camry --- 1723
Mazda 6 --- 931
Subaru Liberty --- 728
Holden Epica --- 470
Honda Euro --- 450
Ford Mondeo --- 392
Volkswagen Passat --- 161
Volkswagen Jetta --- 124
Alfa Romeo 159 --- 88
Hyundai Sonata --- 81

Large:
Holden Commodore --- 4313
Ford Falcon --- 2520
Toyota Aurion --- 1855
Mitsubishi 380 --- 471
Honda Accord --- 307

Medium SUV:
Toyota Kluga --- 1404
Ford Territory --- 1299
Toyota Prado --- 1262
Holden Captiva --- 932
Mitsubishi Pajero --- 525
Mazda CX-9 --- 489
Subaru Tribeca --- 264
Nissan Pathfinder --- 205
Hyundai Santa Fe --- 180
Kia Sorento --- 167

[JoeT]

I just updated some of the Aussie results. They are getting harder and harder to find.
The FCAI have modified their site, so I can't get the brand results from there anymore.

[mang01]

Originally Posted by ericmvest

[color=black]The battle is never over.

Absolutely right - Holden was several times very much on top and could be again (in 1958 it had a little more than 50% of the entire Aussie market with the FC series, with one engine, no auto, in four bodystyles some with three trim levels; in the 90's and early part of this decade it could do no wrong especially with the VT-Z Commodores and derivatives). Don't underestimate them when their backs to the wall. Series II VE will be out soon too.
Similarly Ford ruled for the majority of the 80's with only the mid-size models being a bit weak. Can't see the new Falcon model doing much beyond saving that line from extinction but you have to expect the totally new global RWD based one in 4-5 years time to come back even stronger.

[BBDOS CV8]

I don't think Holden will ever again challenge for overall market supremacy - and neither should they. Racing Toyota to the bottom chasing low-margin vehicle sales is meaningless and pointless. Holden is moving from where 99% of production is sold here when they started, within years I anticipate more than half will go overseas.

I also think they've got a smaller RWD car in the works.

I've changed my opinion; I think Holden is adaptable enough, and GM gives it enough rope, that it can survive Toyota and Ford local operations going under, not that I want that.

Ford now imports two thirds of it's sales. Toyota more like 80%. Holden will increase it's ratio of imports to local, but still continue to make a lot of vehicles. Now that GM has put the kybosh on Zeta in North America at least for sedans, I can see Holden making more niche cars, like maybe a big Buick.

It might mean Holdens here get pricier, but we should also get a better, more premium product.

I think when the updated Epica lands, with more speeds, stability and especially a low-cost diesel option, it might really take off. I am starting to see lots of them around - seemingly very popular on user-chooser leases ATM. As it's four-star ANCAP stability should put it 4.5.

I have to tell you: the other day I came up behind a VT Clubsport, in the bluey-green metallic they came in, with the silver-out panels around the ducts and the rear diffuser. 'Gee, he's fitted spit exhausts I thought', as it had a pipe on each side. Then I realised it was a Mondeo XR5! I'm sorry, but I hope Ford Oz didn't choose that colour scheme.

Advice from people in the know: if you know anyone who wants a VW Golf, get them to buy current one before it's replaced. VW makes little money off them, as they're made and equipped too well, so the next model will be considerably cheaper (shades of Nissan with the Pulsar vs Tiida and the older Patrol which kicks the current one's butt).

[GM-Joe]

Originally Posted by paul8488

Just as it should be... Toyota out front and increasing the gap with second place... if they keep up their 8000 unit per month advantage over Holden they'll finish the year nearly 100,000 units ahead! Actually, I expect it to be more... with lower Aurion prices and the new Corolla picking up steam, lets hope for something closer to 200,000.

Why would a GM Staff Member on a premiere GM site pull for Toyota?

Or is this Toyodainsideenews?

[mikmak]

I find it pretty unbelievable that the Epica is beating the Mondeo. Still early days yet but perhaps the Mondeo is too much car for a second string player. Fuel consumption is supposedly quite good and so is everything else (except for suspension tune IMO). Seems they are pulling a Vectra. (I'm not starting a fight F&H, just stating some facts though admittedly based on not really enough data to establish a trend.)

[Ssom]

. Toyota- 1530
2. Holden- 951
3. Ford- 949
4. Mazda- 627
5. Nissan- 538
6. Honda- 488
7. Suzuki- 485
8. Mitsubishi- 448
9. Hyundai- 420
10. Subaru- 201
11. Kia- 162
12. Volkswagen- 158
13. Peugeot- 110
14. Audi- 105
15. Daihatsu- 100
16. BMW- 84
17. Mercedes Benz- 82
18. Lexus- 52
19. Land Rover- 43
20. Fiat- 40
21. Chrysler- 34
22. Jeep- 33
23. MINI- 32
24. Skoda- 30
25. Volvo- 27
26. Alfa Romeo- 20
27. Ssangyong- 19
28. Renault- 15
29. Porsche- 14
30. Citroen- 12
31. Jaguar- 10
32. Dodge- 9
33. Maserati- 5
34. Ferrari- 3
35= Aston Martin- 2
35= Saab- 2
37. Lamborghini- 1 (As far as I'm aware it was a Murcielago LP640 Versace)
Bentley and Lotus sold none.

Interesting I think is Skoda with 56 YTD sales, that's the equivelent of about 550 Sales in Australia in two months, bodes well for Skoda in Australia two or three years down the track and this is before the Fabia got here (Was launched the 1st of this month).


Ford need the FG Falcon more than ever, the Falcon has slipped behind the Suzuki Swift in the sales charts YTD.

[teamkiwiracing]

Originally Posted by mikmak

I find it pretty unbelievable that the Epica is beating the Mondeo. Still early days yet but perhaps the Mondeo is too much car for a second string player. Fuel consumption is supposedly quite good and so is everything else (except for suspension tune IMO). Seems they are pulling a Vectra. (I'm not starting a fight F&H, just stating some facts though admittedly based on not really enough data to establish a trend.)

Thats what i find quite surprising as well. Contrary to what some people have said that it would get shot to bits in the sales stakes against the Mondeo, yet it has continued to hold it own and even increase its sales. From what i can recall, the Epica has only been out sold by the Mondeo in two months by less than 100 units. Not bad by a car which has a limited spec lineup.

Though in the mondeos defence, i have read that apparently supply issues are still hampering the supply of the Mondeos, especially diesel models, which are in high demand by buyers. Apparently, some dealers dont even have any Mondeo demos available on the lot. Also, the supply number from Europe is around 400-500.

Anyway, as i mentioned before, it is going to be interesting to see if the updated Epica will boost its sales, since that its rear end has been modified as well as the dash/speedo, which area two areas that has lets the look of the Epica down. Combined with ESC, a diesel option and 6 spd Transmission, i dont see why sales should increase.

Heres a couple of pics of the updated rear and dash anyway, Looks alot more upper class.

[BBDOS CV8]

Seeing as the Oz dollar is so strong the upgraded Epica shouldn't cost much if any more; with a six speed trans and stability control, $-for-$ it out-equips virtually anything in the class. With a diesel, if they hold the price to a similar $1000 as per diesel in Captiva, you could have a diesel, six-speed CDX for ~ $30k. That's really putting the squeeze on even the diesel Astra.

Given that diesel makes the Cappy quite peppy and apparently accounts for 60% of sales since intro, the diesel Epica might join the d-Astra and d-Mondeo as being the highest-performing version, bar turbo petrol models!

[Patto1]

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

Seeing as the Oz dollar is so strong the upgraded Epica shouldn't cost much if any more; with a six speed trans and stability control, $-for-$ it out-equips virtually anything in the class. With a diesel, if they hold the price to a similar $1000 as per diesel in Captiva, you could have a diesel, six-speed CDX for ~ $30k. That's really putting the squeeze on even the diesel Astra.

Given that diesel makes the Cappy quite peppy and apparently accounts for 60% of sales since intro, the diesel Epica might join the d-Astra and d-Mondeo as being the highest-performing version, bar turbo petrol models!

The Diesel Epica will turn the spotlight on the Epica just like the Diesel Captiva has done wonders for the Captiva in sales

A Diesel Epica with six speed and stability control for under $30 grand will even hit the boring Camry for six, fleets may even swap from Camry's to Epica's.

[ericmvest]

Originally Posted by VB3.3

Yes old Churchill quite loved sending young Australians (and Kiwis) to get shot.

Now you want to send our cars forward in his name....

His no hero in my book

My post was about not giving up, not Churchill. General Motors was in much worse condition in 1909 and 1920 than today. During those years General Motors was bailed out by New York bankers in 1909 and the DuPonts in 1920. Both times General Motors faced insolvency and its top management was replaced. General Motors did not give up and eventually surpassed Ford Motor, which at that time was much more dominate than Toyota Motor is today.

I know about Churchill’s mismanagement of the Battle of Gallipoli that wasted many Australian and New Zealand lives and I understand why he is not popular with many in your country. Japan is hardly innocent either. During World War II Japan killed many Australians and New Zealanders. Also, they treated Australian and New Zealand prisoners of war terribly. If you want to hold historical grudges, it seems Japan has treated Australia and New Zealand worst than Churchill.

[mikmak]

It should be interesting to see how an epica drives when it actually has some torque

[Ssom]

NZ Top 20 models:

1. Commodore- 481
2. Corolla- 433
3. Swift- 317
4. Mazda3- 213
5. Mondeo- 195
6. Falcon- 174
7. Jazz- 139
8. Civic- 138
9. Mazda2- 124
10. Accord- 118
11. Outlander- 115
12. Tucson- 114
13. Mazda6- 114
14. Aurion- 98
15. Yaris- 97
16. Captiva
17. Lancer- 94
18. Territory- 88
19. SX4- 86
20. CRV- 84

[VB3.3]

If you want to hold historical grudges, it seems Japan has treated Australia and New Zealand worst than Churchill.[/quote]

I don't want to make a political thread,and my jibe was meant to be light hearted, but the distinction is Japan was at war with us, the English were our allies.

Churchill's convenience does not excuse hijacking our troops mid voyage returning from the middle east to defend our home land and diverting them to be captured at Singapore. All against the direct order of our Prime Minister Curtin. I have no grudges agaisnt the English, just Churchill. This was one of the most significant events in the formation of our foreign policy and the ever increasing alliance with the US.

So for all I care Churchill can curl up with his Black Dog and have a sip of Gin!