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Toyota remains on track to become the first company to sell more than 200,000
vehicles in Australia in a single year after selling 16,964 vehicles in October.
The result brings the company’s YTD tally to 167,185 vehicles, according to
figures released by industry statistician VFACTS.
Toyota outsold its main rivals again in October, notching its 15 consecutive
month of market leadership.
The company’s workhorse utes led the way, with HiLux and LandCruiser Pick-up
/ Cab Chassis posting double digit growth compared to October 2003.
LandCruiser Pick-up / Cab Chassis sales were up 23.5 per cent to 542 units,
while HiLux 4X4 sales increased 16.7 per cent to 1,220 and HiLux 4X2 sales were
up 17.6 per cent to 1,129 units.
Toyota’s dominance of the 4WD market continued, with total 4X4 sales –
including SUVs and utes - up 19.4 per cent on October 2003.
Prado and RAV4 both recorded increases over last year, while Kluger recorded
a healthy 613 sales to finish its first year with 7,778 sales versus a target of
6000.
The October result sees Toyota stretch its year-to-date lead over main rival
Holden to 18,833 units.
Toyota executive director of sales and marketing, Dave Buttner, said the
company’s dealer network was primed to break the 200,000 mark.
“If we achieve this month’s sales figure in the remaining two months of the
year, we will reach the target,” he said.
“It will be a great achievement for the brand, especially when you take into
consideration the fact that we have had very little happening in terms of new
product launches this year,” he said.
Mr Buttner was particularly pleased with the performance of the company’s
crossover 4WD Kluger.
“Kluger has exceeded all our expectations. Sales in its first 12 months were
almost 30 per cent above the targets we set.
“The most pleasing thing is that Kluger has created its own niche without
having an impact on Prado, which is in the same market segment. Since Kluger’s
release last November, Prado sales are up 28.7 per cent,” he said.
Other strong performers for Toyota during October included Corolla, which was
up 30.4 per cent to 3,679 sales compared to October 2003, and Prius, which
recorded 113 sales, compared with just 24 in the same month last year.
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