Record V8 Sales Ensures 12 in a row for Commodore

[Darren]

GM Holden has finished 2007 with Australia’s best selling car for the 12th consecutive year, helped by record sales of V8 models.

More than 57,300 Commodores were sold in 2007, which was nearly 10,000 ahead of its closest rival.

Strong sales of high end VE Commodore models such as SS, SSV and Calais V saw V8 Commodore numbers surpass the record of 10,982 set in 2003 by almost 500.

Sales of V6 and V8 Commodores to private buyers were also up an impressive 35% on 2006, reflecting a growing popularity of the new VE range among Aussie families.

GM Holden’s flagship WM Caprice became the best selling car in the Upper Large car segment (< $100K) in 2007 on the back of a 140% increase in sales and a 32% share. When combined with the other leading car in the segment - the WM Statesman - Holden claimed a 58% segment share.

The Captiva, launched in late 2006, proved another strong seller for GM Holden in its first full year of sales, ending the year as the third best selling model in the highly competitive Medium SUV segment. The introduction of a diesel variant in March proved popular with customers, with diesel accounting for more than half of Captiva sales in the last three months of the year.

The improved diesel engine in the Rodeo in March also proved attractive, with sales of Rodeo 4x4 diesels up 25% in 2007.

Overall, the year saw GM Holden sell 146,680 vehicles, delivering a 14% market share. Holden had the second highest sales overall, behind Toyota (236,647 sales and 22.5% market share), but well ahead of Ford (108,071 sales and 10.3% market share).

In the fiercely competitive passenger segment, Holden sold 104,848 vehicles in 2007 for a 17% market share.

The new VE Ute is off to a strong start, with sales in December the best month for Holden Utes since June 2003. 2008 sees the launch of the next VE derivative, with the VE Commodore Sportwagon due out in the first half of the year.

Holden Executive Director – Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alan Batey, today said Holden’s results showed the strategy of offering customers a wider range of performance and diesel options was being well received in the market.

“What better way to enter the 60th anniversary year of Holden’s first all-Australian car, and the 30th Anniversary of Commodore, than as Australia’s favourite car for an amazing 12th successive year.

“To achieve this against a backdrop of cheaper imports and even wider consumer choice makes it even more special.

“With the VE range in particular we have a strong model mix and record V8 sales which shows that for many Australians, performance and handling are still at the heart of what many look for in their vehicles.

“And with the addition of VE Commodore Sportwagon in 2008, we’ll have even more for them to get excited about in the coming year.”

Source - Holden Media

[minux]

Makes me laugh, with more and more V8's being sold it seems that more and more are complaining about fuel. They need to do a lie test to buyers asking if they will whinge about fuel costs after buying a V8 if they lie or answer yes they should not be allowed to own an 8. I am so over people whining over the cost of fuel in their 3tonne 4wd or their 6.0 litre V8.

Well done to Holden on another great year

[Emackulation]

Wow, good work in braking the amount of V8 sold record. Its interesting with the price of fuel.

[immortality]

be interesting to see if holden introduce the fuel saving feature on the V8 where it drops 4 cylinders when cruising. the L98 is capable of it, it's a shame they didn't use it in the VE maybe S2 will have it.

good result however, very good

[nathans1987]

Makes me laugh, with more and more V8's being sold it seems that more and more are complaining about fuel. They need to do a lie test to buyers asking if they will whinge about fuel costs after buying a V8 if they lie or answer yes they should not be allowed to own an 8. I am so over people whining over the cost of fuel in their 3tonne 4wd or their 6.0 litre V8.

Well done to Holden on another great year

the reason i winge about fuel is because they can jump 30c in less than a year??!! last year december i pain 114-120 at most this year its about 137-156. $150 a week is quite alot of money for a student to pay a week in fuel (650km a week average of 1.45 per L somtimes a little more somtimes a bit less and i get 16L/100km). i dont usually winge about fuel i just usually cop there ripping us off but i can see why people winge. gas is about 75-80 cents now and deisl is about 150c but apparently perth is worse than other places. if u want u can pay for my fuel if the price dosent bother you?