Australia is pretty much a stronghold for Toyota. Looking at the figures, it seems that Aussies like well-made, cheap reliable cars. And to be honest, who doesn’t like those kinds of cars? But what happens when someone else comes to your market, and does well what you do well? Well, you get worried.
Paddock Talk reports that Hyundai has had a record October since Hyundai came to Australia in 1986. In October, Hyundai sold 6,359 units, which represents a monthly market share of 7.9 percent. Hyundai Australia’s year to date sales look even better: 67,941 units sold, a 26 percent gain from last year, and a 10.8 percent market share for the first 10 months. “This is yet another outstanding result for the team at Hyundai and the Hyundai Dealer network. We are excited to have surpassed our best-ever annual sales record in the first ten months of this year,” said Damien Meredith, Hyundai Australia’s Director of sales. I kind of guessed he’d be pleased at this news.
I’m also guessing that someone at Aichi City is probably not so pleased at this news. Watch out, Toyota! Hyundai are coming after you in Australia. Your move, Toyota…
i don’t think Toyota Japan care that much
australia is 20 million people… whether it’s 7, 8 or 11% it’s still 7, 8 or 11% of a 1 million cars a year market
it’s just too small to worry about
the attack of hyundai kia does have honda worried
they are selling some fairly ordinary cars for premium prices and they have suffered the most… they have slashed prices across the board
What move?
Look at what Toyota is selling in the land of Oz and see Hyundai’s lineup. The are going to get OWNED in cars market. Period.
Sadly, the other 2 locals are going to have a lot of pain too.
Honda’s portfolio sucks too.
Hyundai is going to be up everywhere. I am in Canada, they passed Honda in car sales this year.
The new Sonata is flying out the door and new Elantra and Accent are set to drop and drastically improve their line-up again.
Then there are the new engines coming with direct injection and VVT. Honda and Toyota look like they are sleeping.
Sleeping? Really? After many decades in the car business, Hyundai has only had decent models for less than 2 years. What were they doing for the rest of the years? Sleeping? They were a much lower volume competitor and they’ve announced that they are volume and market share hungry. So OF COURSE their market share will increase. Was Hyundai sleeping for the past ten years because they didn’t come up with the Prius? Most of Honda and Toyota’s volume leaders are aging. Don’t you think that drivetrains and styling will improve with each model change? Frankly, I find the Sonata a design mess. But people seem to be liking it. Funny thing is, they seem to be liking the ‘old’ Camry too since its still a sales leader. Your ‘sleeping’ argument doesn’t hold water. It is a changing marketplace with a larger number of strong competitors.
Hyundai has been releasing value cars for years. But recently Hyundai/Kia have been releasing a string a good cars with vastly improved styling. Subjective of course, but will you agree it is better than Hyundai/Kia of old.
Just recently:
Kia Forte, Sportage, Soul
Hyundai Genesis Sedan, Genesis coupe, Sonata, Tuscon
It isn’t one or two models. Plus a big push on excellent Direct injection engines delivering high performance and high fuel economy. New Accent and Elantra coming within year.
Hyundai was number 7 in 2005, they have since passed Peugot and Honda and are now in 5th place.
This is a clear trend and with the just recent ramp up in styling, and technology it will only accelerate. In very few years you can expect Hyndai to take over #4 spot.
Honda has already delayed civic and in spy shots it looks like slightly warmed over previous civic and almost guaranteed it won’t have Direct Injection. Other than Hybrids Toyota looks like a decade old lineup with nothing interesting in the pipeline. They are the new GM.
Why would “other than hybrids” just be a passing statement? Being ahead of every single automaker in the bridge technology of the future is kind of a big deal. “Subjective of course’ shouldn’t be a passing statement either. The Tucson is pure ugly and the Sonata is glitzy costume jewellery with its own little quality gremlins. IMHO Kia’s styling is vastly improved.
And you have agreed with me that Hyundai Group are going to gain market share because of their smart, aggressive moves. They are hungry for sales and market share… Remind you of anyone? If Honda or Toyota would have launched any of those vehicles they would have been dismissed as tacky, cheap, and “what were they smoking”. Toyota’s problems are mainly in initial quality. Honda and Toyota are still very difficult to beat in long term reliabilty.
Toyota is very good at keeping their “pipeline” underground, I’m sure there are plenty of interesting things. (Electric RAV, Toyobaru, prius line-up, plus whatever we don’t know about.) Comparing Toyota to GM is a stretch and seems to be an uneducated fad.
Toyota has the Best hybrid on the planet: Prius, but other than that they are neck and neck, with Fusion perceived by many to be better than Camry and more competitors emerging by the day (like Hyundai).By the time Hyrbrids are 5% of the market, their hybrid lead will nearly have evaporated.
Toyota is like GM because they are coasting on reputation and loyalty, rather than exciting product. The Average age of Toyota buyer is 50+. It is grandpa’s car.
Styling is subjective. You may not like the new Sonata, but you seem to be in the minority. If it is a subjective trait and the majority like it, it is a win.
Hyundai is gaining market share by building cars that have appeal. As simple as that. Every car company wants to increase market share, but unless they deliver the product, it won’t happen. With the new product dropping soon and smart technology moves, it won’t be long before they are number 4. Honda is already firmly in Hyundai’s rear view mirror.
Hyundai-Kia is doing really well in Brazil, too. And both are posed to launch their subcompacts into the Brazilian market in 2011 or 2012. With the Chinese gearing up for local production in 2013, look for Hyundai (if the price is right) to take out 4th place Ford in Brazil pretty soo.
I was in Sydney a couple of months ago, and I’ve been bottling this up since then: Never have I been anywhere that had such a collection of UGLY cars! Most were white ugly amoebas and afterbirths of different flavors. And the ‘utes’: grotesque! Oh, that feels better….
Tosh’s comment interests me because I have just moved to Sydney after 5 years in Socal. My first impression was the large number of Renault, Peugeot and Citroen cars which were novel to my eyes as there are no French cars in California. Is this what you mean Tosh? Otherwise, they seem to be the same bunch of white,silver,black cars you see everywhere. Granted the utes are unique but their appeal is a matter of taste.
I’ll not bother trying to defend against vague accusations of ugliness, or the attack on nationally treasured icon, but there is (anecdotally) a very good reason as to why most cars are white down here. It’s bloody hot and white cars reflect heat better. That said I don’t know if the science backs that up – perhaps we should call in the Mythbusters?