The devastating impact of the coronavirus has been felt in the automotive industry, with the March 2020 new car sales figures showing car sales were down $30 million per day compared to the same month a year ago.

The latest figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries show 81,690 vehicles were sold for the month of March, a 17.9 per cent decline from March 2019 and the lowest March return since 2009.

This result comes as dealerships across the country are reporting a decline in customer interest and enquiries, with tightening social distancing measures keeping many customers inside their homes.

However, FCAI chief executive Tony Weber has stressed that dealerships remain open to support the needs of customers.

“Many dealerships have opted to remain open to maintain support for customers, particularly from a service perspective, during this difficult period,” said Weber.

“Within dealerships, customer safety is of the highest priority, and automotive brands have initiated a variety of enhanced hygiene protocols and contactless consultations to maintain personal distance.”

Holden capped off a strong month as dealers continue to clear what stock they have left following General Motor’s announcement that the brand would be retired. Holden sales increased 30.2 per cent for the month to 4,992, enough to see them fly back to into the top 10 brands to finish sixth.

Toyota were one few brands seemingly unaffected by the downturn in sales, posting a 1.6 per cent increase, thanks largely to the large amounts of RAV4 and Corolla hybrids still being sold and delivered. Toyota delivered 17,583 sales to finish the month as the leading brand, with 21.5 per cent of the market.

Mazda held on to second place despite a 29.1 per cent drop in sales to deliver 6,819 vehicles, while Mitsubishi, who finished third, suffered a 40.8 per cent decline to deliver 6,002 sales for the month.

For the first time ever, Kia has overtaken sister company Hyundai to finish fourth overall. Following a hot start to 2020, Kia have continued to impress local consumers, posting a 6.6 per cent increase in sales to finish with 5,654 units sold. Hyundai meanwhile dropped 31.4 per cent to 5,306 sales to finish fifth.

Rounding out the top 10 brands was Ford in seventh with 4,857 sales (down 21.2 per cent), Nissan in eighth with 3,501 sales (down 31.6 per cent, followed by Honda (3,144 sales, down 27.5 per cent) and Subaru (3,024 sales, up 0.2 per cent).

The Toyota HiLux once again came out on top as the most popular vehicle for the month, with Toyota claiming three of the top four positions thanks to the increasingly popular RAV4 and Corolla models. Toyota sold 3,556 HiLux units in March, 2,991 RAV4 units (third) and 2,812 Corolla units (fourth), with the Ford Ranger splitting the group to finish second with 3,108 sales.

The Holden Colorado enjoyed a return to the top 10 models, selling 2,391 units to finish fifth, ahead of the Hyundai i30 (1,856), Kia Cerato (1,841), Mitsubishi Triton (1,813), Mazda CX-5 (1,734) and Mitsubishi ASX (1,643).

The rise in popularity of Toyota’s hybrid technology has seen strong growth in the petrol-electric hybrid sector, with hybrid sales increasing by 300 per cent to 4,649 for the month.

New car sales for Q1 2020 calendar year finished at 233,361, down 13. 1 per cent from the same period in 2019.

Top 10 brands

1. Toyota – 17,583 (+1.6 per cent change from March 2019)
2. Mazda – 6,819 (-29.1 per cent)
3. Mitsubishi – 6,002 (-40.8 per cent)
4. Kia – 5,654 (+6.6 per cent)
5. Hyundai – 5,306 (-31.4 per cent)
6. Holden – 4,992 (+30.2 per cent)
7. Ford – 4,857 (-21.2 per cent)
8. Nissan – 3,501 (-31.6 per cent)
9. Honda – 3,144 (-27.5 per cent)
10. Subaru – 3,024 (+0.2 per cent)

Top 10 models

1. Toyota HiLux – 3,556 (-21.5 per cent)
2. Ford Ranger – 3,108 (-19.7 per cent)
3. Toyota RAV4 – 2,991 (+111.1 per cent)
4. Toyota Corolla – 2,812 (+12.5 per cent)
5. Holden Colorado – 2,391 (+27.6 per cent)
6. Hyundai i30 – 1,856 (-22.7 per cent)
7. Kia Certao – 1,841 (-1.7 per cent)
8. Mitsubishi Triton – 1,813 (-47 per cent)
9. Mazda CX-5 – 1,734 (-28.2 per cent)
10. Mitsubishi ASX – 1,643 (-26.5 per cent)

Source: The Daily Telegraph (subscription required) | Australian car sales down $30 per day

7 April 2020