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VFACTS April 2020: Largest Single Month Decline Since VFACTS Began in 1991

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#1 ·
VFACTS: APRIL 2020 NEW CAR SALES, INCLUDING A SURPRISE PODIUM FINISHER

Carexpert.com.au

Mike Costello
Comparisons Editor


05 May 20

We all knew that car sales in Australia during April would be disastrously low thanks to COVID-19, and VFACTs figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries have borne that out.

There were 38,926 new vehicles counted as sold last month, excluding the handful of brands that do not share data, most notably Tesla (to which we’ve reached out, and am yet to hear back from).



That’s a decline of 48.5 per cent over April 2019’s tally of 75,550.

It is also the largest single decrease of any month since VFACTs figures were first recorded in 1991. For context, the sales in April 2009 during the height of the Global Financial Crisis were 63,965.

Sales in South Australia, Tasmania, NSW and Victoria fell by 50 per cent. Counter-intuitively sales in the ACT grew 25 per cent, in large part down to replacement vehicles purchased following a huge hail storm.

Nationally, year-to-date figures are down 21 per cent over last year’s cumulative tally at 272,287 units. The market has now been contracting for 25 successive months.

By contracting in sales ‘only’ 32 per cent, Toyota grew its market share to 26.5 per cent and made five of the top-selling six vehicles (HiLux, RAV4, LandCruiser, Corolla and Prado). I believe that’s called domination.

Mazda finished second despite falling 60.5 per cent. Stunningly, Kia finished third and beat out both Ford and its Hyundai big brother – outselling the latter for the second month this year.

Mitsubishi finished sixth while declining 63.2 per cent, and amazingly it was BMW in seventh. The Bavarian brand only declined 5.7 per cent as models such as the 3 Series, X1, X4, X6, X7, and new 2 Series Gran Coupe all grew compared to April 2019.

Holden’s dealers got rid of 1501 cars, more than half of them Colorados. Nissan declined 51.5 per cent, edging out Mercedes-Benz which rounded out the top 10.

More Analysis and Figures at the LINK

 
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#5 ·
and probably why coronavirus will take the blame regardless of what was happening in the lead up.
Lots of people starting to return to work in the coming weeks but yeah there gonna be some rocky months ahead when the govt withdraws help early because most will resume occupations where possible. The unemployed will be swept up into job creation or Jobkeeper but I really wonder about sales of non-essential goods like new cars
 
#7 ·
Yep. Rav 4 is also a great car for small business owners/inner city cafes/specialty bakers etc. Lots of short runs, lots of space for goods. If only companies saw the same opportunity with small wagons. I really think the Corolla wagon would be a good alternative for those small businesses going forward. For those that don't have 40k+ for the hybrid Rav4, a 30ish corolla wagon would be the ideal alternative.
 
#12 ·
People are over oil companies screwing them over on diesel prices, it’s time to add some balance back in with petrol hybrids. Manufacturers of Utes and larger SUVs should be offering diesels and hybrids to give customers a choice of technology that suits their needs.
 
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