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ACT was the only state or territory to finish 2020 with a gain in new car sales

ACT was the only state or territory to finish 2020 with a gain in new car sales, thanks to a brief January supercell Peter Brewer Volkswagen cars, together with Mazda, Hyundai, Subaru and Honda, showed an upward shift in the ACT. Picture: Peter Brewer One extraordinary weather event almost 12 months ago handed Canberra's new car market such a huge retail boost that the ACT was the only state or territory to finish the 2020 calendar year with a positive result. New car retail data released on Wednesday for 2020 revealed Australia's national sales plunged to their lowest annual level of demand in 17 years, with the ACT being the only state or territory to post a gain over 2019. The ACT's new car retail sales for 2020 were 22.6 per cent up on 2019, against a national sales decline of 13.7 per cent. Canberra's sales boost was largely a result of last year's intense January 20 hailstorm which swept in from th…

Used cars for new prices as COVID drives WA sales through the roof

Used cars for new prices as COVID drives WA sales through the roof By Emma Young When Colin Taylor knew his car was not long for this world he thought he would just pop down to the dealership and replace it. Little did he reckon with a soaring WA market, countering trends in the rest of the country, in which customers are experiencing months-long delivery delays, buying higher-end models than they wanted, and buying used for new-car prices. Colin Taylor with his new car. The model of Mitsubishi Triton Mr Taylor wanted wouldn’t be available for six or seven weeks, his dealer told him. “I figured that would mean 12 weeks,” he said. “So I opted to buy a new one they already had in the showroom. “I needed the car urgently. My existing vehicle was on the way out. I paid about $6000 more. “There are so many people waiting for new cars, plus they also told me people were buying used cars with low kilometres at much more expensive prices than the…

Toyota, Chinese cars the big winners as annual sales announced

Toyota, Chinese cars the big winners as annual sales announced Richard Blackburn It was the year that Holden died and new-car sales plummeted but some brands defied the odds. These are the winners and losers, with some surprises.

Last year was one the car industry would prefer to forget. We said goodbye to Holden and sales across the board were down by 14 per cent. In Victoria, the new-car market was down by close to 25 per cent as dealerships were forced to shut their doors during lockdown.

Some brands and nameplates weathered the storm better than others, though. Here’s a list of what was hot — and what was not — in 2020.

Toyota’s RAV4 Hybrid proved a huge hit. Picture: Thomas Wielecki.Source:Supplied

HOT Toyota The Japanese brand’s dominance of the new-car market is mind-boggling. It has been our number one brand for the past 18 years and has the best-selling ute, car and SUV. HiLux was the best…

Global shortage of new cars leaves car yards nearly empty and forces used car prices up

Key points: There is a shortage of new imported cars reaching Australia Car yards usually filled with new cars are nearly empty Prices of used vehicles are up 30 per cent on this time last year

He said, normally, he would have eight to 12 to cars on display.

"At the moment, we have one, so supply is very tight," he said.

"The factory in Japan closed down for a month, so it's been a chase, a catch-up, ever since."

Mr Sutton said he still had plenty of people interested in buying new cars — they just had to wait a little longer.

"Customers come in, and they need to order vehicles, and there'd be a two-to-three-month delay," he said. Demand up, supply down Neil Sutton is finding it hard to get new cars to fill his car yard.(ABC Alice Springs: Oliver Gordon)

What's happening at this car dealership in Alice Springs reflects a …

Electric cars in Canberra to get a huge financial ‘leg up’

The Greens want buyers of electric cars in Canberra to get a huge financial 'leg up' Comments Ion DNA managing director Rob Ogilvie has welcomed a more accessible electric car price point for buyers. Picture: Supplied Buyers of electric vehicles will receive a $10,000 subsidy toward their purchase under the Greens' plan to accelerate the ACT's take-up of zero-emission vehicles. The Greens have also confirmed that key elements of their "electric vehicle revolution" would be included in any parliamentary agreement should they win the balance of power, as exists in the current ACT Assembly. The Greens would set aside $50 million to fund their electric vehicle incentive program. The $10,000 per car subsidy would provide a huge boost for small businesses like Ion DNA, a Fyshwick direct importer and retailer of second-hand electric cars. Rob Ogilvie, who set up his business a year ag…

Tesla sells 80% more than other EV makers as hybrid sales soar

Tesla sells 80% more than other EV makers as hybrid sales soar SOURCE: TESLA Tesla has now sold 80% more electric vehicles than all other car makers selling EVs in Australia for 2020, pressing home its dominance in the local market, while hybrids continue to soar in popularity. While hybrid sales have doubled from 2019, battery electric vehicle sales were up 17.3% compared to the year before, according to Vfacts data collected on behalf of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), (noting EV sales are from a low base and do not include figures from Tesla). By contrast, the wider auto market in Australia is now on its 29th month of decline in sales, further highlighting the ongoing success of electric and hybrid cars. While the all-electric Hyundai Kona is sitting at the top of EV sales in Australia according to Vfacts, it is of course the Tesla Model 3 that is the real leader. Including the Model X and Model S, Tesla has in 2020 sold aroun…

Canberra car dealers buck the trend

Spare parts: Canberra dealers buck the trend, Danny Ricciardo, and a pricey Beetle Dealers in Canberra are reporting modest but encouraging levels of showroom traffic. Picture: Shutterstock The ACT has continued to be the only state or territory in the country bucking the national plunge in new car sales. August sales data shows the ACT is the only jurisdiction staying in the black, while elsewhere around the country it's a sea of red. National car sales are running 20 per cent down on the same eight-monthly year-to-date period last year, and Victoria, with much of metro Melbourne still in heavy stage four COVID lockdown, is suffering a 66 per cent fall in sales year to date. The dealers in Victoria are screaming for help although to date, there's been little government response. The federal industry body wants the industry to reopen "under appropriate COVID-safe protocols", but offers no worka…

Used car bargains few and far between in north Queensland and reprieve is weeks away

Used car bargains few and far between in north Queensland and reprieve is weeks away Used cars are in short supply in regional areas such as Townsville.(ABC North Queensland: Chloe Chomicki) Industry experts say it will be weeks before more used cars hit sales lots in north Queensland. Key points: Dealers and auction houses are struggling to find used cars during the pandemic A halt in new car sales and fleet vehicle turnover means there is less trade-in activity Experts expect there will be a reprieve in late October when imports increase

Since the coronavirus pandemic began, the industry has seen both a lull and a boom in sales.

In recent weeks, however, the ideal bargain has been hard to come by in regional areas.

Townsville used car sales manager Craig McGrath said trade-ins had slowed, meaning less choice for customers.

"Th…

ACCC car dealer tricks

ACCC lifts lid on car dealer tricks The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has shone a light on some of the tactics used by car dealers and the inner workings of their business models, in an industry with ''opaque'' pricing.The competition regulator says dealers generally won't offer their best price over the phone, that no cars sell at the recommended retail price set by manufacturers, and most buyers will only travel a maximum of 35 kilometres out of their home area to make a purchase.

The ACCC's observations are contained in a 16-page document summarising its early findings as it scrutinises the proposed $2.3 billion merger between AP Eagers and Automotive Holdings Group to form a car dealership giant with 12 per cent of the Australian market and 229 locations.

The ACCC's assessment of a proposed big auto dea…

How to avoid the hidden costs of a new car

How to avoid the hidden costs of a new car When buying a new car, the list price is only a starting point – it’s essential to factor in running, warranty and car insurance costs to know what you’ll really pay. 1. Know what model you are after but be flexible with the specs Car dealers love buyers who have no clear idea what type of vehicle they are after. A good salesman can steer the buyer around the showroom and sell them a vehicle that has the best financial incentives for the salesman. Sales managers don’t like stock that hangs around too long, either, since its costs them money in terms of floor plan financing so not surprisingly they may be very keen to shift slow-moving models. You can make this work in your favour if you know the exact make you’re after and the dealer’s stock controller had a brain fade and ordered a bunch of cars with weird colours. If you’re flexible with the specification level, colour and options, you could walk away with a better deal in fina…