Mirage sales projections & results 2013 - New Zealand

[MetroMPG]

A couple of the NZ reviews that popped up after the recent launch have mentioned sales projections from the company. It's always interesting to note these, since it gives you an idea of the size of the segment in a region, or maybe the popularity of the brand.

Cook anticipates Mirage will achieve monthly sales of at least 100 units, which will be at least double the sales of the vehicle it replaces, the Colt. And while that sort of figure will still be well short of the 200-a-month sales of the very popular Suzuki Swift, it will still represent big business for Mitsubishi in what is a growing market segment.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-dail...o-it-all-again

The Herald mentioned the same figures.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/motoring/n...ectid=10866334

[MetroMPG]

Another NZ sales estimate tidbit:

We’re told they [...] believe the base model car will be the strongest seller, with its main target customers being fleet buyers.

http://www.aa.co.nz/cars/car-reviews...13-car-review/

[MetroMPG]

And now some hard numbers:

93 Mirages sold in N.Z. in March, 2013 (first full month of sales).

From: http://bestsellingcarsblog.com/2013/...still-the-one/

[CLARK]

I have seen that sales figure too - haven't found a number for April yet. I'll see if my local salesman can source the numbers.
Although we had record new vehicle sales in NZ last month more second hand imports sold than new vehicles

[MetroMPG]

I take it there's no auto manufacturing/assembly industry in N.Z. Or else there would already be more stringent laws against the volume of used imports you folks seem to have!

[CLARK]

The auto industry in NZ has gone from being the most regulated [ you needed overseas funds to buy a new car and near new cars were sold above new price] to now being one of the most open markets in the world. This change has come about during the last 50 years. For many years there was an assembly [from CKD packs] industry which represented the major American and British manufacturers [VW also] followed by the Japanese but this slowly folded as the tariff protection they enjoyed was removed. Toyota for one now uses its old assembly plant to refurbish 2nd hand imports and possibly ex lease vehicles to sell into the NZ market with virtually new car warranties.

[CLARK]

To the end of May [3 months since launch] 297 had sold with 62 in June and 101 in July. This is close to the 100/mth projected by Mitsubishi NZ. The big sellers in this class in NZ are Suzuki Swift [239 in July] [we also get the Splash and Alto but their sales are much lower] and Toyota Yaris [226] [Echo or Vitz in some markets].
For July Mirage was ahead of both Holden Spark[44] and Ford Fiesta[68]. Nissans Micra sold only 5!!
Currently the Mirage is being offered on a 1/3,1/3,1/3 interest free deal and being advertised strongly in papers and on TV. As the monthly sales figures become available I will post them.

[MetroMPG]

Clark, thanks for the NZ sales snapshot.

Interesting to see it beating the Fiesta. And also the Spark (which will be its closest rival here in Canada/US).

Could you post a link to the source, if it's online?

[CLARK]

MetroMPG, The website I get most of my information from
www.mta.org.nz/dealer-stats
As an aside I have visited 1000 Islands about 15 yrs ago and have very fond memories of the area. The history was particularly interesting - summer homes for the wealthy and earlier than that pirates being able to plunder and hide - very intriguing.
And thank you and your colleagues for establishing and operating this forum - I love it!!

[MetroMPG]

It's our pleasure!

I'm a transplant to the 1000 Islands area, and I love it here. As a matter or fact, I'm just about to head for the water -- taking the day off to take family sailing in the area. Plundering and... I mean, picnicking and swimming among the islands!