'Commodore was again Australia's most popular car'

[balthazarr]

http://www.theage.com.au/national/ca...c.html?page=-1

'CAR sales in Australia crashed in November, falling by more than 22 per cent as nervous buyers react to the global economic crisis.

- Sales slip
- Porsche hit
- Commodore most popular

Figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries yesterday show that almost 7500 fewer cars were sold in November compared with the same month last year.

The results are a worrying signal to a car industry that six months ago was enjoying a huge boom in sales.

Australian buyers last month showed almost equal disdain for all market segments, although the more expensive large cars, luxury soft-roaders, large off-roader and sports car segments felt a much larger consumer backlash.

The large-car segment, the traditional heartland of locally built fare including the Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon and Toyota Aurion, fell 21 per cent compared with the same month last year, continuing a run of shrinkages.

Despite its sales contracting 4 per cent for the month, the Commodore was again Australia's most popular car, closely followed by the imported Toyota Corolla small car.

Falcon sales slipped 8.7 per cent for the month, giving it the status as the third-most popular buy, while sales of its locally built Territory soft-roader have more than halved compared with the same time last year.

Sales of Toyota's Altona-built Aurion took a steep dive, falling 17.1 per cent.

Some of the larger importers fared better than others. French brand Renault's Australian sales climbed by 55 per cent, mainly on the strength of its commercial vehicle range and recently launched Koleos soft-roader, while the next-best performer, Japanese car maker Subaru, just slipped into the red after falling 6.4 per cent for the month compared with last year.

Troubled US brand Chrysler saw its Australian sales slip 62 per cent, while its subsidiaries Jeep and Dodge fell 40 and 45 per cent respectively.

Volvo dipped almost 49 per cent, Honda saw sales slip almost 43 per cent, Kia and Mini both posted a 36 per cent slide, and Mitsubishi and Lexus fell 34 per cent. Sports car maker Porsche was not immune. It's sales dried up by a staggering 55 per cent in November.

Of the big three German luxury brands already weighed down by an increase in the luxury car tax from 25 to 33 per cent, Audi defied the odds, growing sales by 8.3 per cent for the month. In contrast, BMW's sales fell almost 19 per cent, and Mercedes-Benz by 28 per cent.

British premium brand Jaguar also ended the month in positive territory, up almost 16 per cent as sales of its new XF saloon take off.

The FCAI says vehicle sales this year are still expected to pass 1 million, making it the second-best on record.

And in a positive sign, ultra-luxury marque Rolls-Royce reported that it had sold another car last month. That brings its sales for the year so far to 16, making it the best year ever.' (my emphasis)

:

I know it's been covered to death... but how/why/who?

Now, let me answer my own questions. :

How/Why: Marketing, marketing, marketing - I'm sure the people that got suckered in with that 99c fuel deal thought they were getting a great deal...

Who: Well... I think we know the answer to this one...

As to everyone claiming the sky is falling (including the journo who wrote the story with the headline 'car market goes from boom to bust').... it's shaping up to be the second best year ever... not every year can be better than the last.