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NEWS
VFACTS FOR SEPTEMBER: SUVs prime the pump
Spring heralds a year-on-year gain, but market is still stagnant – with only SUVs pushing aheadHas the onset of Spring triggered a rush for recreational offroaders?
It would be easy to think so, given the sales growth in the Australian new car market last month was driven almost entirely by SUV purchases.
VFACTS figures released today indicate that during September, the market total of 94,978 was 2316 vehicles more than for September 2013. Without the extra 3828 SUVs sold for the month – taking the SUV total for September to 30,027 – the market's growth during the period would have slipped backwards. As it was, the nett gain of 2316 vehicles, across all classes, represented a daily sales rate decline of 54.3 sales, according to VFACTS. That was due to the extra business/selling day last month, as opposed to September 2013.
"SUV sales have been strong in 2014, with year-to-date sales in the segment up 4.8 per cent compared to the same year-to-date period in 2013," says FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber.
"In particular, the popularity of the small SUV segment continues to rise with sales for the month up 31.1 per cent compared to September 2013, and year-to-date sales up 17.4 per cent compared to the January to September 2013 period" Weber was quoted saying in a press release issued today.
"New car sales to the business community continue to fall in 2014, with business purchases in September down 3.8 per cent compared to September 2013. Private purchases increased 6.7 per cent and government purchases increased 5.8 per cent."
"Year-to-date, business purchases are down 7.7 per cent, while private sales are up 1.6 per cent and government purchases are up 6 per cent."
Passenger vehicle sales were down 1955 vehicles – to 45,194 for the month – but light commercial vehicles did grow by 475 vehicles to 16,959.
In year to date sales, the market has reached 832,953 sales, which remains 16,991 behind September 2013. Despite that, the FCAI remains confident the market will finish 2014 at around 1.1 million sales for the year.
For the most part, prestige brands continue to outstrip the volume-selling brands in acquiring market share. Maserati traditionally sells smaller volumes into this market than some of the better known prestige brands, but 2014's year to date sales of 302 units place the Italian marque well ahead of its stablemate Ferrari and other brands such as Aston Martin and Bentley. And in spite of a product range positioned much higher upmarket, Maserati is just 14 units behind Infiniti.
With the arrival of the new Ghibli, the importer has seen year to date sales grow 193 per cent – and its tally for the year so far is more than the full 12-month figures for 2012 and 2013 combined. Glen Sealey, Maserati GM in Australia not only credits the Ghibli for expanding the brand's reach in the local market, he also acknowledges that the new generation Quattroporte has achieved stronger market penetration for the marque.
"At the launch of both Ghibli and the Quattroporte we stated that these two new models were so exceptional and that they brought Maserati into new market sectors, they would provide exponential growth for Maserati in Australia," Sealey was quoted saying in a press release.
"The figures released today fully validate that position and show just how many people are now enjoying the exclusive and unique pleasures of Maserati ownership for the first time.
"These figures are just part of the story," Sealey continued. "We are committed not just to expanding sales figures but also ensuring that every new owner enjoys the same high quality customer experience that has made Maserati a legend during past 100 years. Therefore these sales are supported by investments in staff, dealerships, training and facilities that lay the foundations for the next 100 years of Maserati success."
Top selling brands for the year to date are: Toyota (151,109), Holden (82,949), Mazda (76,987), Hyundai (75,353), Ford (61,587), Nissan (49,214), Mitsubishi (49,017), Volkswagen (41,095), Subaru (29,266) and Honda (23,633). Holden, Hyundai and Volkswagen continue to be the only three companies in the top 10 enjoying stronger sales in 2014 than for the same period last year.
The 10 best selling cars during September were: Mazda3 (4014), Toyota Corolla (3893), Toyota Hilux (3430), Holden Commodore (2616), Hyundai i30 (2539), Ford Ranger (2446), Toyota Camry (2173), Mazda CX-5 (2093), Mitsubishi Triton (2029) and Hyundai ix35 (1802).
And the 10 best selling cars for the year to date are: Toyota Corolla (33,106), Mazda3 (33,083), Toyota Hilux (28,648), Holden Commodore (23,784), Hyundai i30 (23,316), Ford Ranger (20,134), Mitsubishi Triton (16,867), Mazda CX-5 (16,643), Toyota Camry (15,781) and Volkswagen Golf (14,402). Note the very narrow margin from Corolla – the top-selling car in the country – to Mazda3.
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Written byKen Gratton
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