4WD sales

[Bytemrk]

4WD sales defy market trend
2:22 PM July 21
Sales of new motor vehicles in Australia are falling.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics says sales fell 1.7 per cent in June after small increases in April and May.
The figures show 78,500 new vehicles rolled onto the nation's roads last month.
Sales of cars are down almost 2 per cent, but sales of new four-wheel drive vehicles are up 3 per cent.
Commonwealth Securities chief equities economist Craig James says the overall decline comes despite favourable market conditions.
"Certainly car affordability is the best in 20 years," he said.
But Mr James says buyers might be delaying purchases until the launch of some new car models.
"The fact is that you've got a raft of new models coming through later this year," he said.
"That's causing people to delay purchases and the high cost of petrol may also be a factor in restraining new car purchases."
Source: ABC
Well well........

The ban the 4wd crowd seem to have had another little set back....

I'm sure Scrooby and co will find a reason to whinge about this too...

Mark

[one_iota]

The economics commentator on ABC TV news tonight observed/conjectured that increased 4wd purchasing was because of the ski season...anyone seen any snow?

Can't have it both ways:

An oxymoron

4wd causing global warming and snowfall

[Ace]

Yep, i am sure there will be something negative to find in all that, what it is i will be interested to read. Matt

[dobbo]

The economics commentator on ABC TV news tonight observed/conjectured that increased 4wd purchasing was because of the ski season...anyone seen any snow?

Can't have it both ways:

An oxymoron

4wd causing global warming and snowfall

He was probably talking about the white substance on the mirror in his dressingroom

[one_iota]

He was probably talking about the white substance on the mirror in his dressingroom

Yes he was wearing a suit.

[solmanic]

Well well........

The ban the 4wd crowd seem to have had another little set back....

Maybe, but I'm sure they have included AWD soft-roaders in that 3% increase. I wonder how sales of Patrols & 'Cruisers are going.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I wonder how sales of Patrols & 'Cruisers are going.



why?

or

who cares?

:p

[barryj]

With the quality of the roads here in Queensland I am not surprised that 4 wheel drives are on the increase. Honestly Queensland roads are the worst I have driven on. I have been to every state in Australia and Queensland Transport cannot build good roads as far as my comment is worth.

I suppose the engineers will blame the ground conditions - what about the road from Mt Isa to Tennant Creek. When you cross the NT boarder the road strangely gets to the quality that an open speed limit is OK. Next they will blame the weather - what about Tas, Vic, ACT, NSW where they can go from -0c to 40+c?

I know it's off the post but what are others experiences?

[Pedro_The_Swift]

mate,, you oughta live outside the golden south east corner,,,


and after a few years with a local shire,, I can tell you the guys know how to build them,,

the state gov (through Road Tech) wont pay enough.

[Bushie]

why?

or

who cares?

:p
Exactly !!!--------------------------------but probably better than Land Rovers :cool:



Martyn

[solmanic]

I singled out Patrols & 'Cruisers since they are the most popular "serious" and thirsty 4WDs which get bought by urban breeders for people-moving duties as opposed to the soft-roaders which get bought by the same people but have very little actual off-road ability and are pretty much as economical as any regular family stationwagon.

I didn't make mention of any Landrovers but I do also consider the Discovery as a "serious", recreational, off-road peoplemover in the same category. I am not considering "utility" 4WDs (which includes the Defender) as they have a very different target market.

My point is, statistics may say that general 4WD sales are UP, but overall car sales are down. But are sales of "real" 4WDs up or just sales of car-alternative 4WDs? I imagine many families are still switching to 4WD 7-seat soft-roaders as they can be as economical as any other estate wagon or people-mover but have the added impression of safety and the more fun image of a go-anywhere vehicle. Besides, the baby bonus is still rewarding Australians for breeding and we have to carry the rug-rats around somehow.

I would expect that more and more people are going to be actually paying attention to those little red & green economy numbers on the windscreen of every new car and we should be seeing a trend away from the big petrol 4x4s. If not, then maybe people are either blind, stupid or earning too much.

END RANT.