Toyota Six A Hit As Aurion Sales Ignite

[937]

Toyota six a hit as Aurion sales ignite

Ian Porter

December 6, 2006

TOYOTA'S second attempt to crack the Australian six-cylinder family car market got off to a promising start last month when the Japanese giant sold 1543 of its new Aurion sedans.

The monthly total was better than any month for the company's first attempt at an Australian six, the Avalon, except that model's first month on sale in July 2000.

But the new Toyota's success was not a disaster for its competitors, as Falcon sales rebounded 20 per cent from a flat October and Mitsubishi's 380 also recovered some ground.

Holden's new Commodore, released a month earlier than the Aurion, held its own against the newcomer and remained the country's bestseller.

The overall effect was to lift the large-car sector to 15.5 per cent of the market, significantly above the 14.1 per cent it had achieved in the first 10 months of the year.

"We believe the introduction of the Aurion will be a watershed in the large-car market," Toyota's director of sales and marketing, Dave Buttner, said.

The Aurion is more powerful, more economical and offers more equipment than its base model Expensive Daewoo and Ford rivals for about the same price — $35,000. The 380 is significantly cheaper, starting at $29,990.

Last week the Aurion won the Drive Car of the Year award for best large car.

But all the good news for Toyota was tempered by the apparent cannibalisation of the new Camry model by the Aurion.

Camry sales had been running at more than 120 a day since its release, but dropped to 101 a day last month as buyers were confronted with a choice between the Aurion and the Camry.

The price-sensitive light-car market continued to expand rapidly, with sales rising 19 per cent to 394 a day, compared with the previous November.

"The light-car boom is undoubtedly one of the major motor vehicle stories for 2006," Peter Sturrock, chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, said. The chamber compiles the monthly Vfacts registration figures.

"Throughout the year, the motor industry's smallest models have been the biggest growth trend, propelled by spiking fuel prices, rising interest rates and the exceptional value and convenience these cars now represent," he said.

Toyota's Yaris is the standout performer in this category, with a 28 per cent share, followed by the Hyundai Getz on 15 per cent and the Expensive Daewoo Barina on 11 per cent.

Mr Sturrock said the industry was headed for total sales of about 970,000 cars and trucks, which would be the second-best year ever, after last year.

The other sector to show good growth last month was the small sport utility vehicle market, which more than made up for weaker sales in the medium sport utility sector.

The big winners were Subaru's class-leading Forester and the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan X-Trail.

[seventytwo]

Good to see the chooks big brother doing so well and the up turn in large cars

sale may show that people are getting over the oil price spike of a few months ago.

[RHR]

Still just a glorified camry

[Kimberley Scott]

Expensive Daewoo Commodore, World car of the year. Like f*ck, cannot even win domestically.

Still, sorry to see it go to an import.

Scotty

[SHOCK]

Go the f*ckn Toymota.....bring it on bitches

[Kimberley Scott]

Go the f*ckn Toymota.....bring it on bitches

←

How quickly they turn.

Scotty

[SHOCK]

Go the f*ckn Toymota.....bring it on bitches

←

How quickly they turn.

Scotty

←

Only against the Bomadores Scotty....T is sad memory deep in my heart and will never be matched by a Toymota:bowdown:

[Kimberley Scott]

All is forgiven, so when are we going 4WD'ing?

Scotty

[Trough Lolly]

I seen the new camry or whatever it is in a deep red today... looked like the top model as it has the full kit, multi spoke 18's (I think) and honestly it looked awesome! if it were RWD toyota would be on a winner.

[TurboDewd]

I cant deny liking the look of the Aurion, designed by the guy who did the BA. Claimed fuel consumption, combined cycle, of 9.9L/100km with 200kW isnt shabby.

Aurion is 1615kg, my T is 1700.

If the sporty Aurion was AWD then the SS and XR6T and WRX would have serious competition!