The Australian car market is coming off a strange year. Affected both by the economy, the Japanese flooding and the introduction of new cars to the market, each month of the year 2011 had a different sales leader. In the end, however, the winner among passenger car sales was the Holden Commodore for the 16th year in a row.

While sales were up 5% over last year, overall sales of new cars are still lower than in past years. Buyers of cars are also aiming for newer models and brands. The Toyota Camry and Corolla were poised to take over sales when the tsunami hit and made new car models scare for about six months. Buyers needed a new car right away had no choice but to shop elsewhere. Shoppers split their interest between the Volkswagen Golf, the Mazda3, Mitsubishi Aspire and the familiar Holden Commodore. When the results were added up, the Commodore retained the lead in sales by a slim margin.

For the first time, the Chinese brand Cherry has entered the Australian car market. A smaller car, it is still expected to pick up some buyers who would have gone with Toyota or Mazda. Toyota, not to be out done, is bringing out newer versions of its Camry and Corolla models. Holden is not standing still, however. They are bringing out a Cruze version of the Commodore with a hatch back that seems to be trending well among younger car buyers. They are updating their mid size passenger car with the sedan version of the Cruz. Mitsubishi has its new mid size cars the Aspire on the market.

It appears that Toyota may over take the Holden Commodore hold on the market in 2012. As an example, sales for October 2011 were Toyota Corolla 3593, Golf 3337, Mazda 3185 and Commodore 3018. Even though Commodore was the top selling passenger car in 2011, clearly Toyota is still neck and neck with Holden, and Holden is also competing with the Golf, which is a more economical choice than either Toyota or Holden. Along with the Golf, is the new Mitsubishi Aspire. Priced right, and comfortable for four or five passengers, this mid size car is moving up the sales chart.

For manufacturers, this is good news. Car shoppers are back in the market, and sales are increasing at a rate of 5% over the last several years. Sales now match the rate seen in 2007. There is some element of the market leaning to purchasing SUVs and wagons. This side of the market takes away from possible passenger car purchases, leaving the manufacturers the tricking task of advertising their versions of these cars without putting down their passenger car models.

All in all, passenger car sales in Australia are shaping up to be a most interesting year.