Hyundai lifts in sales

And in the case of Hyundai, the Korean carmaker's sharp pricing has bolstered its 2009 sales start as popular rivals plunge into the red.

Hyundai is the only volume brand to post a sales lift last month compared with the same period last year.

Two months into the sales year and Hyundai is 9.3 per cent up over the same period last year.

Its success is in stark contrast to its Korean ally and other budget carmaker, Kia.

Kia sales are down 20 per cent this year.

With 4151 vehicles sold, Hyundai achieved a 5.9 per cent market share last month, the company's best result since the factory took over distribution in 2003.

Director of sales and marketing, Kevin McCann, says more consumers are getting the value message.

Of the Hyundai models, the budget Getz and small i30 performed strongly, helped by the iLoad and iMax.

The i30 had its best-ever result with 1234 sold.

With the exception of Hyundai, Audi and Jaguar, the economic downturn is ravaging local carmakers and most imports.

Audi lifted its share 5.4 per cent and Jaguar by 22 per cent, largely on the back of the success of its XF sedan.

Fiat and Dodge also had spikes on the back of big incentives.

Sales were down across all segments and fleets, which normally return to the market in February, were noticeably absent.

Of the three local volume players Toyota remains market leader but had a 31 per cent sales drop last month, selling 14,274 vehicles compared to 20,703 in February 2008.

Holden was down 27 per cent and Ford 21 per cent for the month.

The Commodore and Aurion were the biggest local big six losers in February, down 22 per cent and 48 per cent respectively compared to February 2008.

However, the Commodore managed to snatch back No1 sales spot off the Mazda3.

In January the Commodore was overtaken by the Mazda3, but it reclaimed top billing last month, with 3376 sales.

Mazda3 was second with 2989 sales.

The FG Falcon came in fifth behind the Toyota Corolla and HiLux.

Economic uncertainty is also hitting the luxury segment this year.

Mercedes-Benz sales are down 22 per cent, BMW 21 per cent, Alfa Romeo 52 per cent, Lexus 30 per cent, Volvo 30 per cent and VW 13 per cent.

Sportscar maker Porsche has taken a big hit, with sales down 47 per cent.

However, auto analyst David Gelb of KPMG warns that comparisons between the first half of 2008 and January and February this year are relative because the first six months of 2008 was a bumper sales period.

"In this market you'd have to be a brave person to make any predictions that provide any credibility," he says.

TOP TEN MAKES (*February)

1 Toyota 14,274

2 Holden 9029

3 Ford 7396

4 Mazda 6376

5 Nissan 4441

6 Mitsubishi 4301

7 Hyundai 4151

8 Honda 3445

9 Subaru 2848

10 Volkswagen 2443

TOP SELLERS

1 Holden Commodore 3376

2 Mazda 3 2989

3 Toyota Corolla, 2769

4 Toyota HiLux, 2619

5 Ford Falcon, 2386

6 Hyundai Getz 1583

7 Toyota Camry 1564

8 Mitsubishi Lancer 1551

9 Toyota Yaris, 1548

10 Hyundai i30 1234

_{(*source VFACTS)}