Figures released from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show another promising month for the new car industry, with sales for December totalling 95,652, a 13.5 per cent increase from the same period in 2019 (84,239).

This brings the total vehicle sales to 916,968 for the calendar year, down 13.7 per cent from 2019, where 1,062,286 vehicles were sold. This decline is expected and is attributed to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID-19 has brought a health crisis and a corresponding economic crisis to the world during 2020,” reports Tony Weber, FCAI Chief Executive Officer, “It is therefore with great relief that the industry, along with the general economy, is finally noting some positive signs within the market.”

Mr Weber said the “unprecedented economic support” by state and federal governments, in addition to the “easing of prohibitive lending restrictions” in the last three months of the year, allowed for a “cautiously optimistic outlook for 2021” and that “we are at the beginning of a positive trend.”

Toyota was the highest-selling brand for the year, with an impressive 204,801 vehicles sold, claiming a 22.3 per cent share of the market. In second place was Mazda (85,640 sales for 9.3 per cent market share), with Hyundai in third (64,807 sales for 7.1 per cent market share).

With a total sale of 45,176, the Toyota HiLux has been crowned the top model for 2020, leading the market for the fifth year in a row. Followed by the Ford Ranger (40,978 sales) and Toyota RAV4 (38,537 sales).

SUVs, Utes, and four-wheel-drives continue to be popular with Australians, with yet another increase in share for all segments.

As of December 2020, SUVs claimed 49.6 per cent of the market with 454,701 vehicles sold.

The Light Commercial Vehicle segment sold 205,597 vehicles, claiming 22.4 per cent of the market.

Passenger vehicles accounted for 24.2 per cent of the market, from 222,103 vehicles sold.

Top 5 models sold for the year, 2020:

1. Toyota HiLux – 45,176 (down 4.3 per cent from 2019 for 4X4 variant, down 8.1 per cent for 4×2)
2. Ford Ranger – 40,973 (up 2.4 per cent for 4X4, down 22 per cent for 4×2)
3. Toyota RAV4 – 38,537 (up 58.8 per cent)
4. Toyota Corolla – 25,882 (down 15.1 per cent)
5. Toyota Landcruiser – 25,142 (up 9.1 per cent)

Top 5 brands sold for the year, 2020:

1. Toyota – 204,801 (down 0.5 per cent compared to 2019)
2. Mazda – 85,640 (down 12.3 per cent)
3. Hyundai – 64,807 (down 24.6 per cent)
4. Ford – 59,601 (down 5.8 per cent)
5. Mitsubishi – 58,335 (down 29.9 per cent)

Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries

6 January 2021