VFACTS - May 2024

[Trendseeker]

Australian new-car sales in May 2024: Ford Ranger back on top, another VFACTS monthly record
The record run of Australian new-car sales continues for the fifth consecutive month – and 14th month in a row of sales increases – as the Ford Ranger returns to the top of the charts.

The Ford Ranger has regained its place at the top of the Australian new-car sales charts – outselling the Toyota HiLux and RAV4 – as the market posted its fifth record month in a row.

New-vehicle sales are on their longest streak of growth in 20 years after deliveries grew by 5.1 per cent in May 2024 – to 111,099 vehicles – compared to the same month last year, according to Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) data.

Most new models have cleared the waiting lists caused by severe stock shortages in the wake of the pandemic – and demand for new vehicles is still running hot, defying a general economic slowdown.

If the new-vehicle market continues its current trajectory – up 12.2 per cent from January to May 2024, compared to the same period last year – it could be on track for 1.35 million deliveries by year's end.

As with prior months, the 'VFACTS' sales data – reported by the FCAI, the peak body for new-car makers in Australia – reflects the number of vehicles that arrived and were handed over to customers, rather than the number of orders written.

Last month set a new all-time May record – beating the previous best of 105,694 reported last year – in the fifth record-setting month in a row.

It represented the 14th consecutive month of year-on-year growth – and the 22nd positive month in two years.

The last time new-vehicle sales grew for 14 months in a row was 11 years ago – and it is the longest streak outright in two decades.

The Ford Ranger returned to the top of the charts with 5912 sales, ahead of the Toyota HiLux with 5702 deliveries.

TOP 10 CARS IN May 2024
Rank Model Volume May 2024 Change year-on-year
1 Ford Ranger 5912 up 43.8 per cent
2 Toyota HiLux 5702 down 1.3 per cent
3 Toyota RAV4 5517 up 111 per cent
4 Isuzu D-Max 2612 up 10.2 per cent
5 Mitsubishi Outlander 2500 up 33 per cent
6 Toyota Camry 2468 up 186 per cent
7 Toyota Corolla 2439 up 76 per cent
8 Ford Everest 2110 up 160 per cent
9 Mazda CX-5 2108 up 14.2 per cent
10 Tesla Model 3 1958 up 50.8 per cent

TOP 10 CAR BRANDS IN May 2024
Rank Brand Volume May 2024 Change year-on-year
1 Toyota 23,389 up 27.5 per cent
2 Ford 8806 up 40.9 per cent
3 Mazda 8002 down 5.6 per cent
4 Kia 7504 up 7.2 per cent
5 Hyundai 6495 down 8.2 per cent
6 Mitsubishi 6409 up 39.8 per cent
7 Isuzu Ute 4401 up 26.4 per cent
8 MG 4159 down 13.9 per cent
9 GWM 3820 up 17.9 per cent
10 Tesla 3567 down 20.3 per cent

Ford Escape – 56
Ford Everest – 2110
Ford F-150 – 39
Ford Fiesta – 0
Ford Focus – 0
Ford Mustang – 1
Ford Mustang Mach-E – 30
Ford Puma – 55
Ford Ranger 4x2 463
Ford Ranger 4x4 – 5449
Ford Transit Bus – 10
Ford Transit Custom – 370
Ford Transit Heavy – 223
Ford Total – 8806

https://www.drive.com.au/news/austra...y-2024-vfacts/

[Fordman1]

Chris Bowen is planning to put a stop to this.

[Sprintey]

2110 for Everest is a great result.

[Sprintey]

10 Tesla 3567 down 20.3 per cent

So does this put some weight behind the images of them piling up at the docks?

[Franco Cozzo]

Highly interesting how strong sales are given we're in a per capita recession, cost of living is through the roof and the economy is slowing down massively - but we're still moving huge numbers of new cars.


Two speed economy - there's people with coin out there thats for sure.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

Chris Bowen is planning to put a stop to this.

Labor is absolutely insane with this plan, a 60% reduction in new vehicle emissions between 2028 and 2030
is unworkable for most manufacturers selling in Australia. As bad as it sounds for Ford, just imagine
how much Toyota stands to lose with +20,000/month sales of ICEs and hybrids, they can’t get there either…
and the same goes for the likes of Mazda Hyundai and Kia……

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Labor is absolutely insane with this plan, a 60% reduction in vehicle emissions between 2028 and 2030
is unworkable for most manufacturers selling in Australia. As bad as it sounds for Ford, just imagine
how much Toyota stands to lose with +20,000/month sales of ICEs and hybrids, they can’t get there either…
and the same goes for the likes of Mazda Hyundai and Kia……

Laughs in BYD

Surely you'd have seen this coming though, its been on the cards for a long time now and constantly coming up in discussion.

Toyota is salty because they've been snubbing EV for silly hydrogen games which are a WOFTAM, the only use case that makes sense for a hydrogen vehicle is a commercial vehicle.

[PG2]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Highly interesting how strong sales are given we're in a per capita recession, cost of living is through the roof and the economy is slowing down massively - but we're still moving huge numbers of new cars.


Two speed economy - there's people with coin out there thats for sure.

I'm not disagreeing with you, but it would be interesting to see two things;

1. When did people order these vehicles. Did people order these cars 12 months ago (or even longer)? Some Everest and RAV4 models have an over 12 month waiting list.
2. How many fresh orders have been taken over the same period. Will we not see a downturn until later on in the year or even next year?

[kevino]

PG2 -agreed.
We are in Peak Ranger numbers.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Highly interesting how strong sales are given we're in a per capita recession

And wasnt there another thread about Peter Warren experiencing a significant profit hit?

I expect the uptick in sales is just people trying to get their spending done before end of June, and probably doing it sooner than later because they assume yard stocks are tight.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by PG2

I'm not disagreeing with you, but it would be interesting to see two things;

1. When did people order these vehicles. Did people order these cars 12 months ago (or even longer)? Some Everest and RAV4 models have an over 12 month waiting list.
2. How many fresh orders have been taken over the same period. Will we not see a downturn until later on in the year or even next year?

Those are good points,

Given how long it takes to get new cars thats likely given the waiting periods,

With the Tesla sales taking a crap, the Model Y is the highest selling vehicle in our market that private non ABN buyers go for, and we've got thousands of them sitting on the docks apparently - cancelled orders?

[XR Martin]

Plenty of money still out there, especially with high property values.
For example a mate who works at a dealer that sells Silverados said the other week someone walked in off the street and bought three of them with a bank cheque ($450k)
And another Silverado owner came in with a warranty issue, was told it would take three weeks to repair.
Couldn't wait that long, and instead traded it on one on the lot. Lost $25k.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Those are good points,

Given how long it takes to get new cars thats likely given the waiting periods,

With the Tesla sales taking a crap, the Model Y is the highest selling vehicle in our market that private non ABN buyers go for, and we've got thousands of them sitting on the docks apparently - cancelled orders?

On those Tesla’s, “some bloke” will pipe up soon and say they’re waiting to be detailed

[Franco Cozzo]

We've had a hit on Ranger sales, Tesla sales, we get Fordman1 in with a post with the potential to take it off topic right off the bat (however its not me for once), Chinese cars got a cheeky mention and we're right on schedule for our usual gang up fight against kypez

I'm going to tick the box for Gaso because that would be inevitable.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

10 Tesla 3567 down 20.3 per cent

So does this put some weight behind the images of them piling up at the docks?

Vfacts numbers are compared year on year, not month by month, so the percentage figure relates to may 2023.

[prydey]

Seeing MG and GWM in the top 10 tells a bit of a story about the buying public and the increasing gap between the average consumer mindset and forum discussion.

A large percentage of people simply want cheap transport.

[Vekgib]

Originally Posted by prydey

Seeing MG and GWM in the top 10 tells a bit of a story about the buying public and the increasing gap between the average consumer mindset and forum discussion.

A large percentage of people simply want cheap transport.

And that's why I love my AU Falcon.

Got that one Franco ?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by prydey

Seeing MG and GWM in the top 10 tells a bit of a story about the buying public and the increasing gap between the average consumer mindset and forum discussion.

A large percentage of people simply want cheap transport.

Was in a Haval H2 as a passenger recently, old retired bloke doing some Uber to pass the days by.

Can't say I'm impressed by it, its very late 1990s/early 2000s Kia/Hyundai on the inside with cheap materials and build quality.

Pretty much spot on, we're all here on this forum for the same reason, we were or still are car enthusiasts, with an affinity for Ford of various types and eras (of the non Taylor Swift variety) gone by.

My problem with the cheap transport is when you go back to when I first got my licence, everyone was competing in the cheap transport category, you had lots of sub $20K cars on offer and Ford had by far the best offering of the lot with the WS Fiesta.

Now no one operates in that space really except for Kia and the Chinese brands like MG, and they haven't changed technology in the last 15 years, you struggle to get something entry level sub $30K these days.

They don't remain 'cheap' when everyone leaves and hands the market to one or two players, Kia Picanto GT was a good example of that, everyone slowly pulled out and it went from $19K DA to $25K DA as everyone slowly pulled out of the economy car segment.

Hell even the base model povvo spec 4x2 Hilux in 5sp manual and unleaded has gone from $24,990 DA to $33K DA

If you have zero interest in cars then you're going to buy on value for money propositions that fits your needs.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Pretty much spot on, we're all here on this forum for the same reason, we were or still are car enthusiasts,

As I age I'm becoming a lot less 'enthusiast'. I care very little about how quickly I can accelerate or go around corners etc.

Having said that I still care enough to buy a car with decent specs for engine etc so that it will do the job required comfortably. And it needs a blue oval on the front.

For what I paid for a 5yr old Everest I could have bought a brand new GWM ute.

It's easy to see why when you don't care about brands or specs. So many people couldn't care less about how much power/torque or how many gears etc.

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by prydey

As I age I'm becoming a lot less 'enthusiast'. I care very little about how quickly I can accelerate or go around corners etc.

Having said that I still care enough to buy a car with decent specs for engine etc so that it will do the job required comfortably. And it needs a blue oval on the front.

For what I paid for a 5yr old Everest I could have bought a brand new GWM ute.

It's easy to see why when you don't care about brands or specs. So many people couldn't care less about how much power/torque or how many gears etc.

and in bold is the volume of sales.
TBH OE's would be happier for they are reducing range, options, performance etc.
Sucks for us but we're the minority.
Want enthusiast performance you got to pay twice 3times more (excl battery options)

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Those are good points,

Given how long it takes to get new cars thats likely given the waiting periods,

With the Tesla sales taking a crap, the Model Y is the highest selling vehicle in our market that private non ABN buyers go for, and we've got thousands of them sitting on the docks apparently - cancelled orders?

Not even that, the plant in China geared up for a set volume per months
but buyers didn’t continue orders so Tesla sent them anyway as they
probably have no ready holding space for them in China…….

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by prydey

As I age I'm becoming a lot less 'enthusiast'. I care very little about how quickly I can accelerate or go around corners etc.

Having said that I still care enough to buy a car with decent specs for engine etc so that it will do the job required comfortably. And it needs a blue oval on the front.

For what I paid for a 5yr old Everest I could have bought a brand new GWM ute.

It's easy to see why when you don't care about brands or specs. So many people couldn't care less about how much power/torque or how many gears etc.

Correct, most vehicles these days have enough pick up and go for most regular buyers,
quite a few buyers have set expectations on say, a certain colour (not white) or trim/accessories.
Like, there’s plenty of XL and XLT Rangers as dealer stock but most people that buy them (Rangers)
want something that looks more than a fleet special…

Just curious to know whether the price on the 5 year old Everest was close to its price when new,
I remember a lot of that inflation of prices started back in covid when supply tightened up, never dropped?

[whynot]

I am trying to figure out how the proposed Prado price rises figure in all of this. Is it;

A) Toyota are charging what they figure that buyers are willing to pay
B) The Prado price rise is a true reflection of price rises across the ICE new car market due to the new fuel efficiency standards
C) The new Prado is so good that the $10K price rise is justified by the extra goodies and features.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by whynot

I am trying to figure out how the proposed Prado price rises figure in all of this. Is it;

A) Toyota are charging what they figure that buyers are willing to pay
B) The Prado price rise is a true reflection of price rises across the ICE new car market due to the new fuel efficiency standards
C) The new Prado is so good that the $10K price rise is justified by the extra goodies and features.

A) would be the correct answer I reckon, its always 'market pricing' - which is what price you can get away with charging that you know a market is willing to pay.

Rather than setting a margin target, ie say 40% you go well I can charge this much for it because the market seems to be willing to pay for it (or has no/limited options).

We did this with a few product categories where the target was 40% but I could get 250-300% for stuff that you had no options on.

I've spoken about it before but I managed to bend over IVECO massively because their own behavior killed my only competitor and left me as the only option on the table for them.

Then if they didn't go for it, I'd just sell direct to their customers and take even more from them by removing their aftermarket from them.

You can see it with Ranger price creep across the years, Australians are obviously willing to pay a premium for their product so they can keep increasing pricing, and Isuzu is now starting to do it on their N series light truck range now they're managing to convert some Thailand Special sales.

Single cab tray back Ranger is circa $50K DA? Thats well above inflation rate from the PX introduction.

Hilux Workmate keeps creeping up in price, $8000 price increase on an older platform, with a naturally aspirated engine thats been around for a long time, 5sp manual gearbox, something that was under $25K DA as the competitors reduce in the fleet spec market.

VDJ79 pricing, thats the king of platforms that were long paid off decades ago thats now pure profit

[prydey]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Just curious to know whether the price on the 5 year old Everest was close to its price when new,
I remember a lot of that inflation of prices started back in covid when supply tightened up, never dropped?

New it was around $60k,or just over according to the paperwork. I paid around $42k on road including 4 new tyres.

I think covid tax has largely disappeared.

[ToryMikey]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Labor is absolutely insane with this plan, a 60% reduction in new vehicle emissions between 2028 and 2030
is unworkable for most manufacturers selling in Australia. As bad as it sounds for Ford, just imagine
how much Toyota stands to lose with +20,000/month sales of ICEs and hybrids, they can’t get there either…
and the same goes for the likes of Mazda Hyundai and Kia……

Remember, they're aiming for the vote of people who are ideologically opposed to even the idea of car ownership.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

image

We've had a hit on Ranger sales, Tesla sales, we get Fordman1 in with a post with the potential to take it off topic right off the bat (however its not me for once), Chinese cars got a cheeky mention and we're right on schedule for our usual gang up fight against kypez

I'm going to tick the box for Gaso because that would be inevitable.

I'm disappointed there isn't an 'Ecotec love' square

[ToryMikey]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

I'm disappointed there isn't an 'Ecotec love' square

Is it really love, or is it just made to seem better by the rattly disaster that succeeded it? Cue Fleetwood Mac's "Break the Chain"...

[Sprintey]

Topic for another thread really, "how did things get crapper?" eg the handling of the Fiesta Franco just mentioned vs rivals then - and now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHXBacEH0qo

Edit: I'm going to say the Swift probably better, but not same price point. Closest I can think of.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Topic for another thread really, "how did things get crapper?" eg the handling of the Fiesta Franco just mentioned vs rivals then - and now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHXBacEH0qo

Edit: I'm going to say the Swift probably better, but not same price point. Closest I can think of.

We're successfully off topic, BINGO!

I bought the same pair of Blundstone boots as I bought like two years ago, Blundstone 997,

They're obviously thinner and more cheaply made with poor quality zip and velcro, and they cost $30 more.

I'm not buying a third pair, Blundstone can GAGF. Probably more evident in female fashion with their 'fast fashion' trend but it effects everything.

Batteries in phones is my biggest shitlist item - found Motorola cheapies have the best batteries of any smart phones on the market.

Replaced our 20 year old fridge with a more energy efficient one, I had a look at it and the only difference is its insulated better than the 20 year old one so it just cycles the compressor less, it still uses R134a refrigerant, just like the old banger. Its not like there was some change in technology in the last 20 years to a better refrigerant or a more efficient motor.

Swift Sport is the only contender in the small hatch category these days, except its the same price as what the Fiesta ST was for 59KW less power (mountune options pack), its not a hot hatch, wouldn't even consider a 'warm' hatch.

Its just a hatch, with hot hatch price tag, cause everyone else pulled out of the segment

One of the lads at school has one, the hero yellow colour, its nice, but its not $35,000 nice.