Australian & New Zealand July 2006 Car Sales Results: Toyota Flogs Holden

[JoeT]

Fuel Prices & Model Changes Shape Car Market

Federal Chamber Of Automotive Industries
3 August 2006
www.fcai.com.au

Australian motor vehicle sales in July were down just 1.4 per cent despite record fuel prices, concerns over interest rates and the one-off effects of the major changeover of two locally manufactured models.

Official figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show that 77,562 cars, trucks and buses were sold in July – down just 1079 vehicles on the all-time record for the month set last year.

So far this year motor vehicle sales are down 3.1 per cent from record 2005 levels.

"Especially in view of current circumstances July motor vehicle sales were very strong and a great encouragement for the automotive industry," FCAI chief executive Peter Sturrock said.

The unique changeover of two of Australia's leading locally made models – Holden Commodore and Toyota Camry – was largely responsible for the downturn in registration figures, he said.

Toyota delivered just 656 four-cylinder Camrys in July compared to 2021 in the same month last year.

Holden delivered 4022 Commodores compared to 5445 in 2005.

"Both companies are completing runout campaigns in preparation for the public launch of their new models," Mr Sturrock said.

Mr Sturrock said the strong June market in which 96,448 vehicles were delivered did not appear to have adversely affected the July result.

"Traditionally end-of-financial-year demand creates a pull forward which adversely affects July," Mr Sturrock said.

"However this year the effects of the pull-through have been minimal".

Mr Sturrock said private motor vehicle sales weathered high fuel prices and the expectation of an interest rate rise remarkably well during July.

"Clearly the Reserve Bank expects its decision will dampen consumer spending but its effect on the automotive market is yet to be determined," Mr Sturrock said.

Demand for light cars year to date is now up 21.4 per cent and for small cars up 3.7 per cent.

"There is no doubt that the changing buying patterns of Australian motorists are having an effect on the composition of the market," Mr Sturrock said.

However the FCAI is remaining firm in its forecast of 980,000 motor vehicle sales in 2006.

"The current running rate points to an actual registration of 961,000 vehicles," Mr Sturrock said.

"But competitive activity, especially amongst local manufacturers with new and improved models, is certain to result in substantial market reaction in the next five months."

Toyota was the top motor vehicle brand in July with 16,977 sales, ahead of Holden (11,129) and Ford (9627).

For the year to the end of July, Toyota now leads Holden by 36,071 sales.


VFACTS INDUSTRY SUMMARY- JULY 2006

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries issues the following summary for the retail sales performance of the automotive industry for July 2006, based on the industry's standard retail report, VFACTS.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries advises that the forecast for 2006 is 980,000 vehicles.

The July 2006 industry volume of 77,562, is down, 1,079 vehicle sales or 1.4% on July 2005 (78,641). July 2006 (26.0) had the same number of selling days as July (26.) 2005, resulting in a decrease of 41.5 vehicles per day.

The July 2006 market is down 18,886 or 19.6% on June (96,448). July (26.) had 1 selling day more than June (25.0), resulting in a decrease of 874.8 vehicles per day or 22.8%. The July volume equates to a SAAR of 0.930 million vehicle sales.

The Passenger Vehicle Market fell by 218 vehicle sales (-0.4%) over the same month last year, the Sports Utility Vehicle Market, fell by 543 vehicle sales (-3.9%), the Light Truck Market, fell by 267 vehicle sales (-2.0%) and the Heavy Commercial Vehicle Market fell by 51 vehicle sales (-2.0%) over July 2005.

Toyota was market leader in July, followed by Holden and Ford. Year-to-date Toyota leads Holden with a margin of 36,068 vehicle sales, or 6.4 market share points.

The year-to-date 2006 market of 56,722 vehicles is running below the same period in 2005 by 3.1% or 17,997 vehicles. With the same number of selling days as 2005, the daily selling rate decreased by 103.3 vehicle sales per day. This equates to a YTD SAAR of .971 million vehicles.

The Passenger Market at 344,246 vehicles is down by 9,662 vehicles (-2.7%). This equates to a YTD SAAR of 0.599 million vehicles. Mixed results by segment show that, whilst increases were returned by, the Light car segment up, 11,764 (21.4%); the Small car segment up, 4,561 (3.7%) and the People mover segment up, 271 (3.0%), the Large car segment down, 22,262 (-22.1%); the Medium car segment down, 2,901 (-5.7%); the Sports car segment down, 1,012 (-9.7%) and the Upper Large car segment down, 83 (-2.1%), failed to improve on their volumes for the same period last year.

The Sports Utility Vehicle Market at 100,728 vehicles is down by 7,510 vehicles (-6.9%), in year-to-date terms. This equates to a YTD SAAR of 0.172 million vehicles. All segments except the SUV Luxury segment which is up, 1,191 (13.2%), failed to improve on the same period in 2005, with the SUV Medium segment down, 5,067 (-12.3%); the SUV Large segment down, 2,879 (-23.8%) and the SUV Compact segment down, 755 (-1.6%). The Light Truck Market at 98,326 vehicles is down 1,027 vehicles (-1.%), in year-to-date terms. This equates to a YTD SAAR of 0.168 million vehicles.

Mixed results are being returned by segment, with the Pick-up/Cab Chassis 4X4 segment up, 2,837 (7.7%) and the Light bus segment up, 565 vehicles (55.0%), are experiencing growth, whilst the Pick-up/Cab Chassis 4X2 segment down, 3,712 vehicles (-7.9%); the Van segment down, 661 vehicles (-5.0%) and the 2.5 Tonne truck segment down, 56 vehicles (-5.5%), failed to improve on their 2005 volumes. The Heavy Truck Market at 17,422 vehicles is up on the same period in 2005 by 202 vehicles or 1.2%.

MONTHLY RESULTS

The July market of 77,562 vehicles is down, 1,079 vehicles or 1.3% versus July 2005. This equates to a SAAR of 0,930 million vehicles. The Passenger Vehicle Market of 48,798 vehicles is down 218 vehicles or 0.4%. The PMV market volume equates to a SAAR of 0.582 million vehicle sales. The polarisation of the market continues with improved performances shown in the Light car segment, up 2,466 vehicles (32.3%); the Small car segment, up 1,567 vehicles (7.6%) and the People Mover segment, up 176 (13.3%), the Large car Segment, down 3,045 vehicles (-22.5%); the Medium car segment, down 1,253 vehicles (-17.1%); the Upper Large car segment, down 125 vehicles (-21.3%) and the Sports car segment, down 4 vehicles (-0.3%) failed to achieve their 2005 volumes.

The Sports Utility Vehicle Market of 13,279 vehicles is down 238 vehicles or 3.9% versus July 2005. The SUV market volume equates to a SAAR of 0.160 million vehicles. Mixed results by segment show improved performances in the SUV Compact segment, up 493 vehicles (8.7%) and the SUV Luxury segment, up 163 vehicles (12.3%) whilst the SUV Medium segment, down 913 (-17.3%) and the SUV Large segment, down 286 vehicles (-18.8%), failed to achieve their 2005 volume levels.

The Light Truck Market of 12,949 is down 267 vehicles or 2.0% versus July 2005. The LCV market volume equates to a SAAR of 0.158 million vehicle sales. Mixed results were returned by segment, with the Pick-up/Cab Chassis 4X4 segment, up 93 vehicles (1.8%) and the Light bus segment, up 50 vehicles (25.1%), whilst the Pick-up/Cab Chassis 4x2 segment down 229 vehicle sales (-3.8%); the Van segment, down 146 vehicle sales (-8.1%) and the 2.5 Tonne truck segment, down 35 vehicle sales (-25.7%) failed to achieve their 2005 volume levels. The Heavy Truck Market is down 51 vehicle sales or 2.0%, when compared with the same month in 2005.

TOP TEN MAKES

Toyota gained the top sales position in the July monthly market with 16,977 vehicle sales, ahead of Holden with 11,129 and Ford third with 9,627. Toyota, with a market share of 21.7%, holds market leadership in year-to-date terms. Holden's July result sees it in second position with a market share of 15.3%, with Ford's market share of 12.5% placing it third. Mazda, with sales of 5,193 and with a market share of 6.7%, hold fourth position. Mitsubishi achieved 3,738 vehicle sales in July and with a share of 5.7%, is in fifth place ahead of Honda, on 5.7% market share.

New Zealand July 2006 Car Sales Results

Motor Industry Association New Zealand
3 August 2006
www.mia.org.nz

New vehicle sales continue to flatten in July.

Both new car and commercial sales last month were again down on the same month last year, with new car registrations of 5,989 the lowest in July since 2002. Year to date new car registrations are now down on 2005 by just over 1% with commercials running 7% behind last year.

The new vehicle market is continuing to adjust to the pressures being experienced in other sectors of the economy but this down turn must also be taken in the context of the fact that new vehicle sales increased year over in the period 2000 to 2005.

Toyota took top place with total sales of 1,545 vehicles ahead of Ford (1,212) and Holden (717). Ford led the passenger car sector with 955 vehicles while Toyota took out the commercial vehicle market with 690 units. Large cars took back the top two spots in the individual model stakes with the Falcon selling 465 vehicles and Commodore 365.


Top 10 New Zealand Brands July 2006

Toyota - 855 Cars + 690 Commercials = 1545
Ford - 955 Cars + 257 Commercials = 1212
Holden - 580 Cars + 137 Commercials = 717
Mitsubishi - 425 Cars + 175 Commercials = 600
Nissan - 305 Cars + 258 Commercials = 563
Honda - 541 Cars + 0 Commercials = 541
Mazda - 354 Cars + 115 Commercials = 469
Suzuki - 278 Cars + 9 Commercials = 287
Hyundai - 284 Cars + 0 Commercials = 284
Volkswagen - 217 Cars + 4 Commercials = 221

Australian & New Zealand June 2006 Car Sales Results

[JoeT]

Toyota Net Profit Dips

Neil McDonald
2 August 2006
www.goauto.com.au

Toyota Australia has reported a drop in net profit after tax for the year to March 31, despite booming car sales.

Its net profit after tax was $54.9 million, down from $70.8 million, with sales revenues of $7.6 billion compared to $7.3 billion during 2004-05.

Capital expenditure was $420.6 million for 2006, compared with $176.8m in 2005.

The expenditure included costs associated with the consolidation of manufacturing operations at Toyota’s Altona plant in Melbourne and major development plans relating to the production of the new Camry and arrival of the V6 Aurion sedan in September.

These works included the upgrade of the press plant operations, a new global body line, new bumper bar and resin operations and the development of a logistics centre.

During the period, Altona built 113,316 Camry and Avalons for domestic and export markets, compared to 105,866 the previous year.

Domestic retail sales volume during the period was a record 214,072 vehicles (including Lexus but excluding Daihatsu), up from 208,882 the previous year.

It was the second consecutive year Toyota has exceeded the 200,000 sales figure. No other Australian car company has achieved a sales result of 200,000 vehicles.

Exports for the period reached 71,748 vehicles with a revenue contribution of $1.3 billion.

Toyota Australia president, Ted Okada, said the arrival of the Camry and Aurion against a backdrop of relentless global and local competition and undiminished demands to achieve more with less resources meant Toyota was entering one of the most important periods in its history.

"We achieved another year of record market sales and retained our position of market leadership," Mr Okada said.

"Customer preferences and other external factors have changed the mix of models with a very strong trend towards smaller vehicles.

"We expect the market to remain strong compared to recent record sales years, in spite of interest rate speculation and fuel prices.

"With the launch of the Camry supported by continuing export demand we are confident of improving our financial profit performance."

During the period, Toyota Australia continued its ongoing support of the AFL, was a presenting partner of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and supported the Federal Government’s participation in the World Expo in Aichi, Japan last year.

[espo19047]

Its bad enough we have to deal with US Toyota news on the ticker.Now a stupid headline like this? I didnt even read it. Who cares? I my opinion this is not not ticker material.

[Quickening]

Hmm..There are a good amount of Australian GM fans here, so it matters to them. PLus it should matter to you if you are a fan of GM, considering they are a global company and what happens in other countries affects us too. Geez.

[awalbert88]

Interesting that Ford and Mazda numbers are seperated. If combined, FoMoCo is actually doing pretty well for itself in Australia and is actually tops in New Zealand.

Of course, many people still don't think of Mazda as part of Ford since it's not a wholly-owned subsidary (which is irrelevant to Japanese law).

[TaHoE]

Wow, Toyota sells a lot of Commercial vehicles in Australia.

[Martino_z]

The way toyota is constantly advertising everywhere is a bit rediculous. SBS toyota world sports, Toyota Aurion Sports tonight, Toyota AFL premiership season... It's gotta be adding up. Not to mention they are offering the chance to go on a sub orbital space flight if you buy the new camry. Hopefully people will be smart enough to realise how much better the VE will be than the Camry or Aurion. Wait... australia and smart doesn't sound right does it?

[Cammo6791]

The reason toyota is no.1 is probably because the previous ones theyve sold have packed it in and had to be replaced

[TDi]

Interesting to see that the Ford Mondeo was New Zealands 2nd best selling car in June and now the Falcon was New Zealands best selling car overall for July.

And why is it that that they continue to put Kia in 10th position, in Australia's top 10 best selling manufactures, when for the second month in a row, they were outsold by Volkswagen Australia??

Volkswagen sold 1,914 vehicles, which is more than what Kia sold last month and so should be in 10th position.

I know it's only a minor thing, but I'm a VW fan!!

VW is now Australia's best selling Euro import, just ahead of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Peugeot and Citroen.

[Butz]

Not to mention they are offering the chance to go on a sub orbital space flight if you buy the new camry

You're not kidding!

[Dynamo]

Wow, that's a small market.

[quinnp12]

All I gotta say is this: Toyota is getting to big for its own good. GM had problems when it got that big, and as far as I've seen, Toyota is now too. Recalls have been huge, and eventually a bored reporter will report them and their will be a chink in Toyota's quality armor perception. All things must come to an end.

[Psionic Wibbly]

Originally Posted by awalbert88

Interesting that Ford and Mazda numbers are seperated. If combined, FoMoCo is actually doing pretty well for itself in Australia and is actually tops in New Zealand.

Of course, many people still don't think of Mazda as part of Ford since it's not a wholly-owned subsidary (which is irrelevant to Japanese law).

looks like it aint gonna be part of ford for much longer! ford's garage sale is about to begin!

[steve333]

Originally Posted by Psionic Wibbly

looks like it aint gonna be part of ford for much longer! ford's garage sale is about to begin!

They will never sell mazda

[Psionic Wibbly]

Originally Posted by steve333

They will never sell mazda

shortage of dough can lead to the unthinkable;
the garage sale has already started.