New car sales posted the first positive result after four month of decline, with sales for February 2022 up 1.6 per cent from last year.

Figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show a total 85,340 vehicles sold for the month, an increase of 1,363 vehicles from the same period last year.

FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said the news was positive given supply chains are not fully stabilised from the impacts of the pandemic.

“Global supply chains for microprocessor units are still some distance from full recovery, so we are pleased to see this small increase on 2021 figures.”

“The consumer demand for new cars in Australia remains strong, and manufacturers are continuing to work hard to get cars into the hands of motorists,” Mr Weber added.

Amongst Australia’s eight states and territories, four posted gains and four posted declines compared to the same month last year.

Sales in the Australian Capital Territory decreased by 2.6 per cent, with 1,356 vehicles sold. New South Wales sales were down 3.5 per cent with 26,360 vehicles sold. Northern Territory sales decreased by 5.6 per cent with 705 vehicles sold, and sales in Western Australia were down 1.7 per cent with 8,409 vehicles sold.

Queensland sales were up by 3.8 per cent with 18,962 vehicles sold. South Australia increased by 8.9 per cent with 5,810 vehicles sold. Tasmania increased by 16.6 per cent with 1,561 vehicles sold, and sales in Victoria were up by 5.5 per cent with 22,177 vehicles sold.

Toyota was the market leader in February 2022 with a total of 20,886 vehicles sold. Toyota was followed by Mazda with 8,782 and Mitsubishi with 7,813.

In yet another sign of Australia’s changing taste in motor vehicles, four Utes and five SUVs topped the market in February, as Australians shifted to “getaway” cars after two years of lockdowns during the pandemic. Only one passenger car ranked inside the top 10.

Toyota’s HiLux was the highest selling model with 4,803 vehicles sold. The Toyota RAV4 claimed second place with 4,454 vehicles sold and Mitsubishi’s Triton placed third with 3,811.

The Passenger Vehicle Market is down by 18.3 per cent (3,509 vehicles). The Sports Utility Market is up by 5.4 per cent (2,284 vehicles). The Light Commercial Market is up by 12.3 per cent (2,383 vehicles), and the Heavy Commercial Market is up by 7.3 (205 vehicles).

Top 5 Brands, February 2022:

1. Toyota – 20,886 sales (up 13.7 per cent from February 2021)
2. Mazda – 8,782 (up 5.5 per cent)
3. Mitsubishi – 7,813 (up 26.0 per cent)
4. Kia – 5,881 (up 0.2 per cent)
5. Hyundai – 5,649 (down 9.6 per cent)

Top 5 Models, February 2022:

1. Toyota HiLux – 4,803 sales (down 0.1 per cent from February 2021)
2. Toyota RAV4 – 4,454 (up 62.0 per cent)
3. Mitsubishi Triton – 3,811 (up 116.4 per cent)
4. Ford Ranger – 3,455 (up 19.1 per cent)
5. Toyota Prado – 2,778 (up 97.4 per cent)

Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries

3 March 2022