On the OP, it is useless to compare car sales here with the U.K. The UK emissions, traffic and luxury taxes means the markets are totally different. Most people over there are pretty much forced into buying really small cars, so much that a Toyota Corolla is considered "mid sized".
On this point. I agree the markets are different. The Corolla is the same size as the Golf (best selling car in the UK with private money) and the Focus (3rd best selling car in the UK)
Both these cars massively outsell the Auris (Corolla name plate was dropped in the UK)
The Focus does really well on the back of fleet sales as it is considered a great car to drive, service and insure with bullet proof reliabilty and they hold their values. All things fleets like.
Here (in spite of the critical acclaim) Australians consider the Focus as "a piece of shit" to use a quote used in this thread, but one that is probably on the money.
Funny how perceptions are different. I just wondered why it was so.
You were bang on re the whole Bathurst dinosaur World changed point. Great response. Thanks