Australia’s new vehicle sales rebounded in August, finishing 17.3 per cent up on the same month last year despite ongoing stock shortages.

Said to be the best August since 2017, figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries shows a total of 95,256 cars sold during the month, bringing the year-to-date tally to 717,575.

FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said this positive result was encouraging amidst the global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and “gives hope that the supply of vehicles to the Australian market is beginning to show signs of improvement”.

Toyota remained Australia’s favourite new-car brand, reporting 20,616 vehicles sold. Mazda was next with 8,824, followed by Kia (6,780), Hyundai (6,643), and Mitsubishi (6,380).

The Toyota HiLux also continued its dominance of the sales charts with 6,214 examples sold – and is on track to be crowned Australia’s best-selling model for the year. Its chief rival, the Ford Ranger, came in second with 4,497 sales, followed by Toyota’s RAV4 (2,482), Tesla’s Model 3 (2,380), and Toyota’s Landcruiser (2,379).

Electric vehicles jumped in August, backed by the arrival of seven Tesla shipments at the end of July, as well as the arrival of the Model Y medium SUV.

“We have seen strong sales of battery electric vehicles in August, with Tesla alone selling 3,397 vehicles.  In the month, EV sales were 4.4 per cent of the total market. This is the highest market share for pure battery electric vehicles ever recorded in a single month in Australia,” said Mr Weber.

“Year-to-date EV sales are 2 per cent of the total market, hybrids are 7.6 per cent and plug-in hybrid vehicles are 0.6 per cent.  Combined electrified vehicles are now just over 10 per cent of total sales in 2022”

Sales across most States and Territories increased. The ACT increased 49.8 per cent with 1,410 vehicles sold.  New South Wales 40 per cent (30,501); the Northern Territory 4.2 per cent (816); Queensland 11.7 per cent (21,379) and Victoria 18.4 per cent (25,053).  Sales in all other States decreased.  South Australia -9.7 per cent (5,702); Tasmania -3 per cent (1,611) and Western Australia -6.5 per cent (8,784).

Top 5 Brands, August 2022:

1. Toyota – 20,616 vehicles sold (up 3.3 per cent from August 2021)
2. Mazda – 8,824 (up 15.4 per cent)
3. Kia – 6,780 (up 33.9 per cent)
4. Hyundai – 6,643 (up 32.4 per cent)
5. Mitsubishi – 6,380 (up 32.9 per cent)

Top 5 Models, August 2022:

1. Toyota HiLux – 6,214 vehicles sold (up 39 per cent from August 2021)
2. Ford Ranger – 4,497 (up 13.6 per cent)
3. Toyota RAV4 – 2,482 (down 21.7 per cent)
4. Tesla Model 3 – 2,380 (N/A)
5. Toyota Landcruiser – 2,379 (up 67.8 per cent)

Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries

6 September 2022