News

Toyota Makes it an Even Dozen (412)

Toyota's Corolla is the nation's best-selling car for the second year in a row.

Official figures released today show Toyota retailed 203,501 vehicles in 2014 to lead the industry by a substantial margin - well over 97,000 sales ahead of its nearest competitor.

Toyota's strong result led the Australian automotive industry to a third consecutive year of new-vehicle sales above 1.11 million and the second-highest total on record.

It is the 12th year in a row and the 18th time overall that Toyota has achieved the highest level of sales in the Australian new-vehicle market.

Last year also marks the 10th time Toyota dealers have delivered more than 200,000 new vehicles to local motorists in a calendar year.

Toyota's December total of 19,015 vehicles delivered to customers was substantially higher than the combined totals of its nearest two competitors.

The company's executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said economic conditions and new-model launches were forecast to support similar results for the industry and for Toyota in the coming year.

"Toyota will release at least 10 new or refreshed models in the space of just one year, starting next month," Mr Cramb said.

"The boldest Camry ever - to be launched in the second quarter of 2015 - is the tip of the iceberg in what is shaping up as one of Toyota's busiest years ever," he said.

"Increased supply of RAV4, Kluger and Prado will provide Toyota customers with another welcome boost in the booming SUV market." 

Toyota's 2014 sales tally of 203,501 vehicles translated into a market share of 18.3 per cent; no other company's share reached double figures.

Corolla claimed back-to-back titles as the nation's best-selling vehicle with sales of 43,735 sedans and hatches - an increase of 0.5 per cent on the previous year and a victory margin of 422 vehicles.

Toyota was the best-selling brand in every state and territory. It was the only company to have three vehicles among the top 10 sellers nationally with HiLux (3rd) and Camry (8th) joining Corolla in first place.

HiLux recorded its 10th consecutive year as the best-selling four-wheel-drive vehicle while its total sales in Australia passed 800,000 since it was introduced in 1971.

Camry marked its 21st year straight as Australia's best-selling mid-size car with its segment share rising to 44.5 per cent. It also notched up a cumulative local sales tally of 850,000 cars.

Toyota was the top-selling brand in the three sectors that define the market - selling 92,132 passenger cars, 56,663 SUVs and 54,706 light-commercial vehicles. It was Toyota's 36th year in succession as market leader in commercial-vehicle sales.

Record demand for RAV4 (up 6.9 per cent to 18,160) and a gain of 10.6 per cent for Prado (16,112) contributed to the industry's highest-ever SUV sales of 352,347 - the first time SUVs have accounted for more than 30 per cent of the total market.

The Toyota 86 was Australia's best-selling sports car, bringing to eight the number of Toyota vehicles that led their individual market segments in 2014. The others were Corolla, Camry, LandCruiser 200, HiLux 4x2, HiLux 4x4, HiAce bus and HiAce van.