New vehicle sales were strong in September with the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) reporting that 93,555 units were sold during September, a 12.3 per cent increase on the same month in 2021. That number brings year-to-date sales to 811,130 for 2022.

Sales were up in Queensland by 2.9 per cent to 20,634, with increases also recorded in the ACT (up 67.7 per cent with 1,498 vehicles sold), New South Wales (up 20.8 per cent with 28,945 sold), and Victoria (up 23.8 per cent with 25,367 sales).  All other States and Territories recorded declines in sales with the Northern Territory down 9.8 per cent (832), South Australia down 2.2 per cent (6,005), Tasmania down 0.9 per cent (1,630), and Western Australia down 6 per cent (8,644).

Toyota led the market with a total of 14,852 vehicles sold.  Kia was next with 7,290 followed by Mazda (7,259), Mitsubishi (6,784) and Ford (6,635).

The Toyota Hi-Lux was the highest selling model with 5,170 sales reported with the Ford Ranger following with 4,890. Tesla’s Model Y was next with 4,359 followed by Mazda’s CX-5 (2,439) and Mitsubishi’s Triton (2,319).

Battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales were up strongly over August. 7,247 sales were recorded in September against 4,235 in August – an indication of the interest in BEVs amongst Australia’s new vehicle buyers.

Tesla, once again, was the gorilla in the EV room, notching up 5,969 sales for September (up from 3,397 in August) enabling to company to hold on to the 7^th place spot on the biggest-selling manufacturers that it secured last month.

“During September 2022, 7,247 battery electric vehicles were sold, more than hybrid and plug-in-hybrid combined (5,141),” said Tony Weber, FCAI Chief Executive.

“Year to date, 21,771 battery electric vehicles have been sold.  While the overall market share of battery electric vehicles remains low (2.7 per cent), there is a clear market trend towards zero emission technology.”

The FCAI noted in its sales report that China was the third largest supplier of vehicles to the Australian market in September with 14,889 vehicles.  Japan (23,880) and Thailand (20,363) remain Australia’s largest source of vehicles.

Top 5 Brands, September 2022:

1. Toyota – 14,852 (down 26.5 per cent from September 2021)
2. Kia – 7,290 (up 41.4 per cent)
3. Mazda – 7,259 (up 10.7 per cent)
4. Mitsubishi – 6,784 (up 47.3 per cent)
5. Ford –  6,635 (up 15.2 per cent)

Top 5 Models, September 2022:

1. Toyota HiLux – 5,170 (up 42.2 per cent from September 2021)
2. Ford Ranger – 4,890 (up 16.7 per cent)
3. Tesla Model Y – 4,359 (N/A)
4. Mazda CX-5 – 2,439 (up 72.4 per cent)
5. Mitsubishi Triton – 2,319 (up 310.4 per cent)

Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries

10 October 2022