New car sales have suffered the largest month-to-month decline since statistics were recorded in April, with sales dropping by 48.5 per cent according to VFACTS latest figures.

Just 38,926 vehicles were reported as sold for the month of April, the lowest monthly result since January 1994, as COVID-19 forced consumers away from dealerships in droves.

However, it does appear as though Australia has managed to avoid the worst of the decline in sales that has affected the global market, with New Zealand (90 per cent decline), Italy (98 per cent decline) and India (zero cars sold in April) just some of the countries hit hard by declining sales.

Federal Chambers of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said that keeping showrooms open during the pandemic allowed dealers to avoid the results witnessed in other countries.

“I think we have performed relatively well versus most other countries and this gives us some optimism that we can drive out of this,” said Weber.

“I’m hopeful the worst is behind us… but the early signs are good. Anecdotally, we’ve seen an increase in sales enquiries in the second half of April versus the first half of April, and we’re hoping that trend continues.”

With consumer confidence plunging throughout April as customers continued to avoid showrooms, Toyota have proven once again why they are Australia’s most trusted automotive brand, dominating the market with 26.5 per cent of all sales for the month.

Led by the HiLux which was once again the most popular car in the country for the month and the RAV4, the second most popular vehicle, Toyota recorded 10,325 sales for April, a decline of 31.8 per cent. While such a decline may be seen as a failure in any other month, Toyota’s result was the second smallest decline among the top 10 brands, showing the extent of just how difficult the conditions were in April.

Mazda consolidated second place on the top 10 brands list, recording 3,022 sales for a 60.5 per cent decline, while Kia once again finished above sibling brand Hyundai for just the second time ever, finishing third with 2,492 sales (down 44.9 per cent).

BMW were the big winners for the month, with the German luxury car maker finishing in the top 10 for the first time after recording 1,703 sales, a decline of just 5.7 per cent to finish seventh.

Holden were once again in the top 10 as stock continues to runout, finishing eighth with 1,501 sales.

In the top 10 models race, the second place finishing RAV4 recorded a 54.4 per cent sales increase as Toyota continues to fill a backlog of orders.

The Ford Ranger held onto third position behind the HiLux and RAV4, selling 1,540 vehicles (down 48.8 per cent) to finish ahead of the Toyota Corolla (1,195, down 50.8 per cent), Prado (947, down 35.7 per cent) and LandCruiser 200 Series (924, down 21.5 per cent) in a Toyota dominated top six.

The Kia Cerato (860 sales, down 47.9 per cent) finished in seventh, while the Holden Colorado (854, down 31.7 per cent) remained in the top 10 in eighth. The Isuzu D-Max (760, down 43.8 per cent) and Hyundai i30 (695, down 63.6 per cent) rounded out the top 10.

Top 10 brands – April 2020

1. Toyota: 10,325 – down 31.8 per cent
2. Mazda: 3,022 – down 60.5 per cent
3. Kia: 2,492 – down 44.9 per cent
4. Ford: 2,251 – down 53.1 per cent
5. Hyundai: 2,247 – down 65.3 per cent
6. Mitsubishi: 1,734 – down 63.2 per cent
7. BMW: 1,703 – down 5.7 per cent
8. Holden: 1,501 – down 56.9 per cent
9. Nissan: 1,468 – down 51.5 per cent
10. Volkswagen: 1,328 – down 62.1 per cent

Top 10 models – April 2020

1. Toyota HiLux: 2,339 – down 35.4 per cent
2. Toyota RAV4: 1,911 – up 54.4 per cent
3. Ford Ranger: 1,540 – down 48.8 per cent
4. Toyota Corolla: 1,195 – down 50.8 per cent
5. Toyota Prado: 947 – down 35.7 per cent
6. Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series: 924 – 21.5 per cent
7. Kia Cerato: 860 – down 47.9 per cent
8. Holden Colorado: 854 – down 31.7 per cent
9. Isuzu D-Max: 760 – down 43.8 per cent
10. Hyundai i30: 695 – down 63.6 per cent

Source: Caradvice | VFACTS: April new-car sales down by 48.5 per cent, sharpest decline since records were kept

6 May 2020