Figures show slowing vehicle registration rate around Australia
Vehicle registration numbers are seeing a downward trend around the country according to the latest figures released by the ABS Motor Vehicle Census.
The data shows there was only a small increase of 1.7% in the total number of vehicles registered last year, down from the 2.1% annual growth consistent throughout the previous four years. As of January, 2019, there were 19.5million registered vehicles in Australia.
Diesel vehicles now account for a quarter of all vehicles registered, increasing from 18.5% of the market in 2014, while petrol-powered vehicles dipped to 73.6% of registered vehicles.
New car sales have also seen a decline, with 554,466 new cars driving out of dealerships in the first six months of 2019, an amount 8.4% lower than this time in 2018.
The controversial luxury-car-tax and new state-level stamp duties are two possible explanations for the reduction that will have new car dealers sweating.
The month of June alone saw 117,817 units sold, a staggering 9.6% less than was sold in the corresponding month in 2018.
Toyota was the best faring manufacturer for the month, recording 21,200 unit sales (still down 8.5% on last June), with the ever popular HiLux model topping the most sold model list with 5,396 units sold.
Mazda came in second place with 10,806 units sold (13.3% decrease on June 2018), while Hyundai placed third with 10,001 units sold (4.4% decrease on June 2018).
Kia was the only manufacturer in the top 10 to record a growth in sales, selling 7,200 units to top their June 2018 figure by 1.9% to finish fifth.
Holden were most heavily affected by declining sales, recording a 34.8% loss in new car sales, selling 4,817 units for the month to finish tenth.
The Ford Ranger was the second highest selling model for the month behind the HiLux, with tradies taking advantage of end of financial year incentives to pick-up a new ute, selling 4,851 units.
Toyota also had the fourth – Corolla – and eighth – RAV4 – highest selling car for the month, continuing their reign as the top selling car manufacturer in Australia.
The declining trend in new vehicle sales now sits at 15 straight months, with the last growth in car sales compared to the equivalent month in the preceding year coming in March 2018.
Highest Selling Manufacturers List – June 2019
- Toyota – 21,200 (-8.5% compared to same time last year)
- Mazda – 10,806 (-13.3%)
- Hyundai – 10,001 (-4.4%)
- Mitsubishi – 8,891 (-13.1%)
- Kia – 7,200 (1.9%)
- Ford – 7,155 (-4.5%)
- Honda – 6,232 (-16.5%)
- Volkswagen – 5,793 (-8.5%)
- Nissan – 5,514 (-16.5%)
- Holden – 4,817 (-34.7%)
Highest Selling Models List – June 2019
- Toyota HiLux – 5,396
- Ford Ranger – 4,851
- Hyundai i30 – 3,343
- Toyota Corolla – 3,137
- Mazda CX-5 – 2,911
- Kia Cerato – 2,832
- Mitsubishi Triton – 2,695
- Mazda 3 – 2,533
- Toyota RAV4 – 2,499
- Hyundai Tucson – 2,344
Original source: The Australian | Brakes tapped on vehicle registrations (Subscription required)
31 July 2019
