2009 Sales Figures

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Gadgetman

As good as the Falcon is, and without doubt it is certainly best in class, the sales figures being 50% down on its direct competitor is nothing less then disappointing from a Marketing & Sales perceptive.

Falcon sedan has outsold VE sedan at least 3 times towards the end of the year. It is making ground, but not having an updated wagon means it will probably not match the Commodore in total sales in the near future, and also the fact that the factory is limited to around 2800 Falcons it can build per month, which won't increase until the line rate is upped, which I think will happen before mid year IMO.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Gadgetman

As good as the Falcon is, and without doubt it is certainly best in class, the sales figures being 50% down on its direct competitor is nothing less then disappointing from a Marketing & Sales perceptive.

are you talking FPV or Ford sales here?? In Ford land Falcon is not 50% down on it direct competitor & it infact increased market share in 2009. Not sure what you are looking at?

[Romulus]

Originally Posted by russellw

Likewise (in answer to a question asked earlier) the Stats for the Ford and Holden performance models (non HSV/FPV) are posted in the Tech area now.

Cheers
Russ

Thanks Russ. It beggers belief Ford can still make a business case of the XR8. It's sales, to be frank, are poor.

Is it possible to get data on the model split from Ford?

[russellw]

I can only ask

Cheers
Russ

Originally Posted by TVS Super Pursuit

Thanks Russ. It beggers belief Ford can still make a business case of the XR8. It's sales, to be frank, are poor.

Is it possible to get data on the model split from Ford?

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by russellw

The Sales Stats for FPV in 2009 have now been uploaded into the Tech area.

Cheers
Russ

Bring on Coyote! I look forward to the Blue sales rising and the Red sales dipping. Thanks again Russ!

[vztrt]

Luxo SUVs push back the gloom

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2576B7000CF863

New metal helps drive prestige off-roaders into unexplored territory

26 January 2010

By JAMES STANFORD

THEY are big, expensive and usually thirsty, but luxury SUVs found lots of homes in Australia last year.

The hardship and uncertainty brought on by the global financial crisis hit almost every vehicle segment in Australia.

Only three managed to grow compared with 2008: Vans, PU/CC 4x4s (which translates into four-wheel drive cab chassis pick-up utes) and luxury SUVs.

The vans were up only 1.1 per cent, while the workhorse utes grew 3.0 per cent, but luxury SUV sales increased by a healthy 7.0 per cent.

To put this in perspective, VFACTS figures show that in 2009, large cars were down 14.8 per cent, medium car sales slowed 11.7 per cent, small cars slipped 6.3 per cent and light cars were down 8.0 per cent.

While demand the luxury SUVs increased, but the whole SUV segment was down 3.4 per cent on 2008.

Compact SUV sales were off by 1.2 per cent, medium SUV sales were down 4 per cent, while the biggest SUV loser of the year was the large SUV class which dipped by a massive 26 per cent.

For the record, the large SUV category is dominated by the Toyota LandCruiser, which sold 2476 less units for a total of 7755 and the Nissan Patrol which was down 1263 units to 4352.

So that leaves the luxury SUV class.

What were the curious factors that meant this segment could go against the flow?

It simply comes down to fresh metal.

The Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 were new in 2009. The new Audi added 1297 sales and the Volvo managed 1261 which meant it came within 18 sales of knocking off the XC90 as the brand’s most popular model.

BMW’s X6, which was introduced in mid-2008 had its first full year of sales and sold a reasonable 573, up from 288 of the previous year.

A new Lexus RX touched down in February, raising sales to 2607, up from 2304 during 2008.

Overwhelmingly, it was the new models and significantly upgraded vehicles that were the stars of the class, but some existing models managed to lift their game. There was nothing new about the BMW X3, but it picked up an extra 5.4 per cent, the unchanged Mercedes ML also increased its sales by 5.8 per cent and Porsche’s unchanged Cayenne was up 5.2 per cent.

The big losers of the segment for 2009 included the Volkswagen Touareg which dropped 28 per cent or 304 sales to 1066, the Volvo XC70 which slipped 36.7 per cent or 268 sales to 462 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee down 35.8 per cent or 225 sales to 404.

In percentage terms it was the big Lexus LX that had the hardest time in 2009. The Toyota LandCruiser-based four-wheel drive was down a massive 57.9 per cent, or 175 sales, which left it with just 127 for the year.

[R-Design]

Originally Posted by GT Falcon

Thanks Russ. It beggers belief Ford can still make a business case of the XR8. It's sales, to be frank, are poor.

Is it possible to get data on the model split from Ford?

I'm thinking the XR8 still looks like a better option than the GS. All that limited edition did was bring down GT sales, and still hasn't sold out!!

Phillyc's got it in a nutshell, bring on Coyote, it can't come fast enough.

[vztrt]

Holden’s local sales domination not as it seems

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2576C4001687FD

Battle for top sales honours with Australian-built cars is closer than it seems

8 February 2010

By JAMES STANFORD

THE Holden Commodore was easily the best-selling car in Australia in 2009 – for the 14th year in a row – and, at first blush, appears to have an unassailable lead over its Ford arch-rival, the Falcon.

Official VFACTS figures show Holden sold 44,387 Commodores and Ford sold 31,023 Falcons last year – a fairly healthy margin any way you look at it. But look at the data in different ways and it is a far more interesting contest.

VFACTS bundles wagons and sedans into the Falcon and Commodore numbers, as well as high-performance derivatives sold through Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) and Holden Special Vehicles (HSV).

Pare these back and Holden sold 27,938 Commodore sedans, while Ford was just 2841 cars behind with 25,097 Falcon sedans.

It was another close-run thing among the muscle cars, too, with HSV selling 1814 Commodore sedan-based vehicles and FPV managing 1316 Falcon sedan-based vehicles.

The big gap between the Commodore and Falcon can be explained by the sales performance of their respective station wagons.

Holden has had considerable success with its VE Commodore-based Sportwagon, which replaced the previous long-wheelbase (and more utilitarian) model in 2008. The Sportwagon’s stylish design and compactness has appealed to many young families and no doubt some existing Commodore sedan customers as well.

All up, Holden sold 14,423 station wagons and HSV shifted another 212 of its wagon-based R8 Tourer. In the blue corner, there is no FPV station wagon to take on the Tourer, and with its mainstream ‘mass-market’ wagon, Ford achieved just 4610 sales in 2009.

That comes as no surprise given the Falcon wagon was not part of the FG upgrade in 2008 and still carries the BFIII badge.

Ford no doubt lost some wagon customers to its Territory, which has been around since 2004, and added a handy 10,851 sales last year.

FPV sold 33 Territory-based F6X turbo models, which it dropped from its line up in March.

In terms of ute sales, Ford Australia has always been strong in this field and 2009 was no exception.

In what was the closest battle of the year, Ford sold 11,763 utes compared to Holden’s 11,363.

HSV sold 741 examples of its Holden ute-based Maloo, while FPV sold 417 Falcon ute-based models, which means that, combined, the Blue Oval brand can still claim first place with 12,180 to 12,104.

Sales of Holden’s long-wheelbase models did not contribute much in 2009, with 1936 Statesman and Caprice models sold. HSV chipped in with 103 sales of its long-wheelbase Grange.

A handful of Ford dealers must have had some Fairlanes left in stock, with VFACTS recording 18 sales of the model that was axed back in December 2007.

All up, Holden and HSV finished the year with 58,530 locally made and locally sold cars compared to Ford with 54,105 locally made and locally sold vehicles.

The only other local manufacturer, Toyota, recorded 20,846 Camry and 13,910 Aurion sales in Australia for a total of 34,756.

But, of course, Toyota remains the number-one motor vehicle manufacturer in Australia by virtue of the fact that it has Australia’s biggest export program of around 100,000 cars.

Figures are still to be released for the 2009 calendar year, but Toyota Australia’s export volume for its last financial year (April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009) was 94,955 cars.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Holden’s local sales domination not as it seems

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2576C4001687FD

It beggars belief that Holden can still sell more Aussie made cars considering that Ford locally produce a SUV and a cab chassis ute. Ford's lack of decent station wagon is killing them.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Brazen

It beggars belief that Holden can still sell more Aussie made cars considering that Ford locally produce a SUV and a cab chassis ute. Ford's lack of decent station wagon is killing them.

Not really, Holden have to pay off the wagon. The Terri is at the end of the model run and the wagon is a good money earner. Ford need an updated Terri as that would be more beneficial then the wagon.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Brazen

It beggars belief that Holden can still sell more Aussie made cars considering that Ford locally produce a SUV and a cab chassis ute. Ford's lack of decent station wagon is killing them.

The Commodore Hatch hasnt increased overall sales for Holden though... its only stolen sedan sales... at a cost mind you, but hey, its giving customers a choice they obviously prefer over the sedan.
A Falcon Hatch would probably do the same thing... a true FG Wagon on the other hand might be a different story.... but its a big risk.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

The Commodore Hatch hasnt increased overall sales for Holden though... its only stolen sedan sales... at a cost mind you, but hey, its giving customers a choice they obviously prefer over the sedan.
A Falcon Hatch would probably do the same thing... a true FG Wagon on the other hand might be a different story.... but its a big risk.

Be interesting to see if the Territory update picks up the slack.

Also as an aside, when the Falcon wagon stops production there will be no more LPG wagon available on the market. Only not too long ago, we had the Magna, Commodore and Falcon wagons all available with factory LPG, soon we'l have none.

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Be interesting to see if the Territory update picks up the slack.

Well, Territory did have peaks of over 2,000/mth sales in it's first 2 years on the market. Sure, the market is more competitive now. But despite it being 6 years young, it is in many ways right near the top of the Medium SUV tree.

A redesigned Territory with diesel option could see 2,000 monthly sales again. The facelifted picked up sales from 600-800 to 1000-1200 a month. The sector has about 50% diesel sales too...

But, alas that is for 2011 not 2010.

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Also as an aside, when the Falcon wagon stops production there will be no more LPG wagon available on the market. Only not too long ago, we had the Magna, Commodore and Falcon wagons all available with factory LPG, soon we'l have none.

Falcon will have LiLPG this year.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by phillyc

Well, Territory did have peaks of over 2,000/mth sales in it's first 2 years on the market. Sure, the market is more competitive now. But despite it being 6 years young, it is in many ways right near the top of the Medium SUV tree.

A redesigned Territory with diesel option could see 2,000 monthly sales again. The facelifted picked up sales from 600-800 to 1000-1200 a month. The sector has about 50% diesel sales too...

But, alas that is for 2011 not 2010.

When the Terri was first released it created a new market here and had a large chunk of that new market to itself, Territory now has so much competition in the SUV market that its over shadowed and out featured by most options, if they dont seriously load it with features and benefits, not to mention significant styling changes it wont sell.....

[Smoke Pursuit]

Territory will outsell holden wagon easy if its given the chance it deserves.. Ford are stupid if they build a sports wagon, they are only going to kill the territory off and to be honest its a much more feasible proposition to a wagon, 7 seats and awd give it a big tick!

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by bfiipursuit

Territory will outsell holden wagon easy if its given the chance it deserves.. Ford are stupid if they build a sports wagon, they are only going to kill the territory off and to be honest its a much more feasible proposition to a wagon, 7 seats and awd give it a big tick!

Territory did for the Adventra, Holden just couldn't compete with Territory when fresh,
let's hope that the 2011 diesel Territory soars in popularity and doubles sales numbers...

The equation is simple, does Ford throw money at a new wagon to get maybe
another 10,000 sales a year or do they use the cash to do something else like
Ecoboost Falcon to generate new sales where Holden has no competitor...

[R-Design]

Originally Posted by Go Auto

The only other local manufacturer, Toyota, recorded 20,846 Camry and 13,910 Aurion sales in Australia for a total of 34,756.

Originally Posted by jpd80

The equation is simple, does Ford throw money at a new wagon to get maybe another 10,000 sales a year or do they use the cash to do something else like Ecoboost Falcon to generate new sales where Holden has no competitor...

Good point, those 21,000 Camry sales must look very enticing to Ford. The only problem is that Toyota has 12 months to sell us on the virtues of the Hybrid technology. If they're successful, it'll be interesting to see how successful the I4T will be in penetrating the medium sector. Also, I'd love to know what % of Camry sales are Government/Fleet.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by jpd80

The equation is simple, does Ford throw money at a new wagon to get maybe
another 10,000 sales a year or do they use the cash to do something else like
Ecoboost Falcon to generate new sales where Holden has no competitor...

In that case Ford should should build the wagon. If fleets want a 4 cylinder they will continue to buy the Camry or instead get the new Hybrid Camry. If fleets want a cheap to run large car they will continue to buy the LPG Falcon.

Why the heck would fleets buy a I4T Falcon, when a Hybrid Camry is cheaper and makes a better environmental statement or when a LPG I6 is cheaper to run.

They may pick up one or two '4 cylinder only fleets', but the horse is already bolted. Fleets now have the excuse to buy cheap small cars with good resale, they are not going back to large cars.

[XR Martin]

They need to release the Econetic Mondeo (5.4L/100km average)to take the wind out of the Hybrid Camry sails.

[cosmo20btt]

Originally Posted by Brazen

In that case Ford should should build the wagon. If fleets want a 4 cylinder they will continue to buy the Camry or instead get the new Hybrid Camry. If fleets want a cheap to run large car they will continue to buy the LPG Falcon.

Why the heck would fleets buy a I4T Falcon, when a Hybrid Camry is cheaper and makes a better environmental statement or when a LPG I6 is cheaper to run.

They may pick up one or two '4 cylinder only fleets', but the horse is already bolted. Fleets now have the excuse to buy cheap small cars with good resale, they are not going back to large cars.

Some fleets only have the 4cyl option, which puts the i4t Falcon back in the ball game.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Brazen

In that case Ford should should build the wagon. If fleets want a 4 cylinder they will continue to buy the Camry or instead get the new Hybrid Camry. If fleets want a cheap to run large car they will continue to buy the LPG Falcon.

Why the heck would fleets buy a I4T Falcon, when a Hybrid Camry is cheaper and makes a better environmental statement or when a LPG I6 is cheaper to run.

They may pick up one or two '4 cylinder only fleets', but the horse is already bolted. Fleets now have the excuse to buy cheap small cars with good resale, they are not going back to large cars.

Since Ford is spending $240 million on an Ecoboost I-4, I'd say your estimations are incorrect.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Since Ford is spending $240 million on an Ecoboost I-4, I'd say your estimations are incorrect.

Quarter of a billion bucks to chase a few zero-profit Camry/Corolla fleet sales..? There has to be more to it than that, perhaps it will eventually replace the I6..

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Quarter of a billion bucks to chase a few zero-profit Camry/Corolla fleet sales..? There has to be more to it than that, perhaps it will eventually replace the I6..

Could also be there to make it ready for export markets. The EB Falc will be the first in the world for Ford (with this Engine) they dont just shoe horn it in....it would probably be more beneficial doing this then the wagon.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Quarter of a billion bucks to chase a few zero-profit Camry/Corolla fleet sales..? There has to be more to it than that, perhaps it will eventually replace the I6..

You need top look past your Camry/Corolla/Fleet fixation,
Falcon's future is anything but a fleet queen....

[jpd80]

The Ecoboost I-4 Falcon is not about chasing the I-4 Camry base model's price,
it's about offering a full sized vehicle alternative to mid sizers with a greener engine.

Those who think the LILPG engine will win more retail sales are kidding them selves,
that market is deaf to LPG and want something else instead and Ford has chosen Ecoboost I-4.

My preference is for Falcon to be changed just enough to allow fitment of the V6 Diesel,
that to me would be a far better plan for attracting profitable sales than the Ecoboost I-4.

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by jpd80

You need top look past your Camry/Corolla/Fleet fixation,
Falcon's future is anything but a fleet queen....

Certainly going that way. The B series was the first step in the right direction with more private buyers. The FG has really hit it further, but more volume is required.

IMO large RWD is/will be really about being a performance/prestige vehicle. The split of sales for FG with XR & G series being 95% of total sales is an indication of this.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by phillyc

Certainly going that way. The B series was the first step in the right direction with more private buyers. The FG has really hit it further, but more volume is required.

IMO large RWD is/will be really about being a performance/prestige vehicle. The split of sales for FG with XR & G series being 95% of total sales is an indication of this.

Not that I dont believe it, but what are the private sales of a Falcon? I know fleet sales have dropped a lot, but are there actually more private buyers buying?

I remember reading that the percentage of private has increased, but that would be obvious when there are 40,000 less fleet sales a year compared to the nineties. The only private people I know of personally who have bought Aussie cars recently have been the wagons or SUVs (Sportwagons, Territories).

Every large hire car I get is an XR6 so they are obviously being bought be fleets.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by jpd80

You need top look past your Camry/Corolla/Fleet fixation,
Falcon's future is anything but a fleet queen....

I believe it, It just seems to be that the whole rationale behind the 4 cylinder was to capture the fleet market, im putting it on the record that I dont think it will make a big difference to fleet sales, not with local Cruze, Camry, Hybrid Camry and LPG Falcon already gunning for it.

But, the 4 cylinder may open it up to great export oppurtunities and more premium private buyers.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Brazen

I believe it, It just seems to be that the whole rationale behind the 4 cylinder was to capture the fleet market, im putting it on the record that I dont think it will make a big difference to fleet sales, not with local Cruze, Camry, Hybrid Camry and LPG Falcon already gunning for it.

But, the 4 cylinder may open it up to great export oppurtunities and more premium private buyers.

Now that would be worth something and perhaps, a better use of funds than a wagon...