2013 VFACTS: Winners and losers

THE Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has released total vehicle sales figures for the 2013 calendar year.

Its VFACTS report revealed total Australian sales of 1,136,227 units, an increase of 2.2 per cent over 2012’s 1,112,032 units.

In a tough period for Australian manufacturing, sales for locally produced Holdens, Toyotas and Fords dropped, year-on-year. Holden’s 57,261 represented a 17.1 per cent drop from 2012. Aussie Toyota sales declined 12.7 per cent, to 31,699, and Ford slipped 14.1 per cent, to 29,550, compared to 2012.

But despite local woes, Toyota once again took the gong for total vehicle sales, with Subaru overtaking Honda in December, to gain ninth spot:

Top 10 total vehicle sales

Toyota (214,630)

Holden (112,059)

Mazda (103,144)

Hyundai (97,006)

Ford (87,236)

Nissan (76,733)

Mitsubishi (71,528)

Volkswagen (54,892)

Subaru (40,200)

Honda (39,258)

Top 10 sales by model (excl. commercials)

TOYOTA’S revised Corolla just eclipsed the ageing Mazda3 for top spot in passenger sales, though with a new 3 arriving early in 2014, the Corolla will have to watch its back. The local Commodore, Camry and Cruze remain entrenched in the top six despite continued pressure.

Toyota Corolla (43,498)

Mazda3 (42,082)

Hyundai i30 (30,582)

Holden Commodore (27,766)

Toyota Camry (24,860)

Holden Cruze (24,421)

Mazda CX-5 (20,129)

Ford Focus (19,180)

Hyundai ix35 (19,098)

Volkswagen Golf (17,342)

2013 winners

THERE must be something in the Italian water, as Alfa Romeo and Fiat both posted impressive gains. Total Alfa 2013 sales sat at 2373, up 162 per cent on 2012. Excluding commercials, Fiat sold 3854 units, an increase of 651 per cent on 2012. The Fiat 500 and Abarth range was a key contributor with 2443 sales – up 376 per cent.

Mitsubishi had its best year as a full importer, posting 71,528 total sales for a 21.5 per cent increase.

Renault’s 7016 sales realised a 40 per cent gain, and its best year since returning to the Australian market in 2001.

Other noteworthy performances included the Chrysler 300 (up 108 per cent to 2508), Ford Kuga (up 250 per cent to 3874), Honda CR-V (up 164 per cent to 12,510) and the electric Nissan LEAF, which climbed to 188 sales, an improvement of 144 per cent.

2013 losers

ALTHOUGH Euro chic worked for the Italians, Citroen seems to have lost its way, posting a 2013 sales total of 1180, down 31 per cent on 2012. The French company’s C4 sold only 214 units, a drop of 60 per cent.

Proton moved a thin 611 units, down 39 per cent on the previous year, but more significantly Ford’s Mondeo dropped 41 per cent to 3089 units, a worrying sign for the car which many perceive as the Falcon’s replacement. Honda’s similarly sized Accord Euro achieved just 1834 sales, down 70 per cent, and Nissan’s Micra suffered a 53 per cent slump to 4326 total sales.