Commodore numbers excite GM
Amid heightening uncertainty over government subsidies and General Motors' future placing in Australia, preliminary industry data obtained by Fairfax Media on Friday revealed the Commodore eclipsed 3300 sales in October. The result placed the Commodore as the third-highest-selling car for the month, behind the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3, and helped hand Holden its best monthly finish since October 2009.
The result is a stark contrast to the Commodore's peak in popularity - in 1998, when Holden was selling more than 7500 a month - but is being perceived by the brand as a glowing endorsement of its new VF model, released midyear. Before the launch, Holden was barely breaking 1500 sales a month with its iconic family car. The October result is up 35 per cent on the same period in 2012.
Holden's national sales and marketing director, Philip Brook, said the Australian public had begun renewing interest in the Commodore.
"According to our internal data, Holden has recorded its best October sales since 2009 in what we expect to be a softer market in October, which is a great result," he said.
"In particular, the strength of Commodore sales are fantastic - with 3316 sales that's up 35 per cent year on year and our rich model mix continues."
The Commodore's sales renaissance will be confirmed when the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries releases its official October sales report on Tuesday.
Holden's other locally produced car, the Cruze, didn't fare as well in early numbers, with sales down 15 per cent compared with October 2012. According to year-to-date data, the Cruze ranks fourth overall in passenger sales and the Commodore fifth.
The locally produced Toyota Camry (down 35 per cent) and Ford Territory (down 9 per cent) also experienced a sales drop, adding further fuel to the debate surrounding pre-election proposed changes to how fringe benefits tax was calculated on company cars, prompting the industry to predict a substantial sales slump.
The industry had forecast a resurgence in sales towards the end of the year once the Coalition shelved the proposed changes, but it hasn't eventuated.
Preliminary figures show a continued overall softening of the new-car market during October, but the downturn isn't expected to derail forecasts of a record year in new-car sales. Industry stakeholders say the market is on track for 1.14 million new vehicle sales, up 22,000 units or 2.5 per cent on 2012.
Overall volume reached about 94,000 vehicles for the month of October, which is down about 1.7 per cent on the same period in 2012. But the year-to-date reading is more positive, up about 25,000 vehicles on 2012.
The Toyota Corolla continued to strike a chord with buyers, topping the charts with about 3800 sales, with the Mazda3 second (3600) and Toyota Hilux fourth (3200).
European brands, including Mercedes-Benz and Fiat, are also believed to have had strong months, buoyed by the introduction of new models and wide-reaching marketing campaigns.
Other established brands such as Nissan, Suzuki, Kia and Honda took a hit in sales for October.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
The Holden Commodore experienced a boost in sales due to the release of its new VF model, which has been well-received by the public, leading to its strongest monthly sales performance since September 2011.
The Holden Commodore saw a boost in sales due to the release of its new VF model, which has been well-received by the public. This resulted in its strongest monthly sales performance since September 2011.
In October, the Holden Commodore sold over 3,300 units, marking a 35% increase from the same period in 2012 and achieving its best monthly finish since October 2009.
In October, the Holden Commodore was the third-highest-selling car, following the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3, marking a significant achievement for the brand.
The introduction of the new VF model significantly boosted Holden Commodore's sales, as it helped the brand achieve its best October sales since 2009, with a notable increase in public interest.
The introduction of the new VF model significantly boosted Holden Commodore sales, with a 35% increase compared to the same period in 2012, highlighting renewed public interest.
Other locally produced cars like the Toyota Camry and Ford Territory saw a decline in sales, with the Camry down 35% and the Territory down 9% compared to previous periods.
The Holden Cruze did not perform as well as the Commodore, with sales down 15% compared to October 2012, although it still ranks fourth overall in passenger sales year-to-date.
The overall new-car market experienced a slight downturn in October, with a 1.7% decrease in volume compared to the same period in 2012, although the year-to-date figures remained positive.
The new-car market experienced a slight downturn in October, with overall volume down about 1.7% compared to the same period in 2012. However, the market is still on track for a record year in new-car sales.
In October, the Toyota Corolla topped the sales charts with about 3,800 sales, followed by the Mazda3 with 3,600 sales, and the Holden Commodore in third place.
The Toyota Corolla topped the sales charts in October with about 3,800 sales, maintaining its popularity among buyers.
The Holden Cruze did not perform as well as the Commodore, with sales down 15% compared to October 2012, although it still ranked fourth overall in passenger sales year-to-date.
European brands like Mercedes-Benz and Fiat had strong sales months, supported by the introduction of new models and extensive marketing campaigns.
Despite the October downturn, industry stakeholders expect the new-car market to reach 1.14 million vehicle sales by the end of the year, up 2.5% from 2012, indicating a record year in new-car sales.
The debate on car sales and fringe benefits tax was fueled by pre-election proposed changes to tax calculations on company cars, which led to predictions of a sales slump, although the market is still expected to achieve record sales.
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