The stock shortage has had a big impact on new car sales in 2022, but some brands and models have weathered the storm better than others. Here are the successes and failures.
Car sales have fallen during the first half of the year as stock shortages, plant closures and shipping limitations have drowned out the supply of new vehicles. The waiting times of some popular models extend beyond a year.
But some manufacturers are weathering the storm better than others. Here’s what it does and what it doesn’t in the first six months of 2022.
HEAT
Toyota
Australia’s preferred car brand continues to expand its lead over the rest of the market. More than one in five Australian buyers of new cars choose a Toyota and the brand has achieved a modest increase in sales this year despite the scarcity of its popular RAV4 Hybrid. Waiting times for this car now extend beyond 12 months. In June, four of the six best-selling vehicles were Toyota. The HiLux led the way, recording its highest monthly sales result recorded and beating its nearest rival by more than two to one. Toyota sales for the first six months were the second highest in history, despite a market that has dropped 5 percent.
Offroaders
SUVs have been on the rise for several years, but since Covid there has been a shift towards true four-wheel drive that can venture further down the beaten track. Half of the top ten were four-wheel drive in June. Popular options include the HiLux, Ford Ranger ute and Everest Wagon, Isuzu D-Max and MU-X and Mitsubishi’s Triton and Pajero Sport. The new Toyota LandCruiser is also selling strong, as is Nissan’s V8-powered Patrol, which doesn’t seem to be affected by rising fuel prices.
Chinese brands
Chinese vehicle sales rose about 40 percent during the first half of the year, led by MG’s continued success. The brand has surpassed established names such as Volkswagen, Nissan, Honda and Subaru to move up to seventh place in the sales ladder. Sales have risen 25 percent, led by the HS and ZS SUVs and the low-priced MG3. Great Wall Motors sales have risen 13 percent.
NO
Honda
Last July, the Japanese brand made a controversial move to introduce prices without haggling and eliminate distributors from the sales process. It seems to have been counterproductive. While supply issues have certainly had an effect, brand sales have dropped nearly a third during the first half of the year. May and June sales have been higher than in 2021, but last year was a bad year for the brand. In the first six months of 2020, which were affected by the Covid blockades, Honda sold more than 16,000 vehicles. This year only 7621 have been sold. The price increase of the new Civic and HR-V has not helped.
Mazda
Australia’s second most popular brand has struggled to keep up with Toyota this year. Sales have dropped 17 percent to date and June came as a surprise: sales fell 50 percent and Hyundai and Kia sold more than the brand. As a result, the gap with Mitsubishi and Kia has narrowed dramatically. Sales of the city-focused CX-3 SUV have stalled ahead of competition from Hyundai’s Venue, Kia’s Stonic and the big Suzuki Jimny. Mazda3 sales have also fallen, while the CX-5 family SUV, once dominant, now plays a second fiddle away in Toyota’s RAV4. The brand also had a rare sales loss with its MX-30 and EV hybrid. So far only 265 have been sold.
Volkswagen Group
This year was supposed to be a bumper for VW, which has upgraded most of its line in the last 12 months. But supply problems have caused an alarming 37.5% drop in the first half of the year. The aging Amarok ute, which will be replaced soon, has seen one of the biggest falls, but the brand’s SUV line has also been hit hard. The news is the same for the Audi luxury arm, which has dropped 30%. The sister brand Skoda has seen a 42% drop in sales. Large price increases across the range have not helped Skoda. The small Kamiq SUV was priced at $ 29,990 by car when it won the News Corp Car of the Year award in 2020. Prices now start at $ 37,990.