Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Toyota Corolla New Aussie favourite


The Holden Commodore is facing the toughest challenge yet to its long reign as Australia's favourite car.

An all-new version of Toyota's Corolla has landed and took less than a month to overtake the Commodore.

More than 5800 Corollas were delivered in Australia last month, against around 5500 Commodores, although official Vfacts sales figures will not be public until later today.

It is the fourth time in the past year that the Corolla has stolen No.1 spot from Commodore for an individual month.

However, the GM Holden flagship has not been beaten over a full year, since it ended the last serious challenge from the Ford Falcon more than a decade ago.

But the change to an all-new Corolla means Toyota will be able to mount a sustained threat to the Commodore, instead of relying on value prices and rising fuel costs to lure converts and win occasional months.

The Vfacts results will also show the best half-yearly industry total on record, at more than 525,000 vehicles, with industry forecasts of the first one-million year looking increasingly accurate.

Ford did well with its Falcon and Territory, sales of Mitsubishi commercials were strong, and many brands will claim record months.

Toyota and GM Holden are playing down the potential for a Corolla-Commodore contest.

“We're pleased at the large car market stabilising, and showing some growth. We've never had a stronger mix and we're getting fantastic retail response,” Alan Batey, Holden's executive director of sales and marketing, said yesterday.