The Ford Ranger has been crowned Australia’s top-selling vehicle for the month of September 2020, marking the first month this year that a Toyota built vehicle has not finished on top.

According to the latest new car sales figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), the Australian new car industry witnessed a slow month in September as COVID-19 restrictions continue to put the brakes on sales.

A total of 68,985 sales were recorded for the month, 21.8 per cent fewer than the 88,181 vehicles that were sold in September 2019.

This figure brings the total number of new vehicles sold through the first nine months of the year to 644,891, 20.5 per cent fewer vehicles than the number through the same timeframe in 2019.

Septembers decline came despite numerous brands boosting manufacturing to increase Australian stock.

The popular Toyota HiLux ute bounced back from a disastrous month in August, where limited stock availability led to a 66.7 per cent decline in sales, posting a 7.3 per cent increase for September to finish second on the charts with 3,610 sales.

The Toyota RAV4 also continued to ride the wave of success as dealers continue to deliver a backlog of orders, with the petrol/hybrid vehicle posting 2,433 sales, a 41.8 per cent increase on September 2019.

But the month belonged to the Ford Ranger, with the arrival of the refreshed 2021 model to Australian shores proving to be popular among consumers.

The Ranger finished the month with 3,726 sales, a 19.6 per cent increase, to finish on top of the charts for only the second time in the last three years.

September proved to be a difficult month of the top 10 sellers outside of the top three, with six of the 10 recording sales declines of at least 19 per cent.

The Hyundai i30 edged out the Mazda CX-5 for fourth spot, recording 1,786 sales (down 27.0 per cent), compared to the CX-5’s 1,765 sales (down 25.1 per cent).

One of the biggest losers from the success of the Ranger and HiLux models was the Mitsubishi Triton, which was hit with a 51.8 per cent decline in sales, selling 1,446 units for the month to finish eight.

While the boost in Ranger sales pushed Ford to a strong month of sales, it was not enough to knock Toyota from top spot on the manufacturer’s list.

Toyota shrugged off a 14.7 per cent decline in sales to remain Australia’s favourite brand, selling 12,936 vehicles to finish with an 18 per cent market share.

Mazda finished in second with 7,000 sales (down 14.3 per cent), while Hyundai finished in third with 5,273 sales despite a decline in sales of 27.2 per cent.

Despite the poor monthly result, green-shoots continue to appear that provide optimism for the future.

While sales figures in Victoria copped a 57.7 per cent decline for the month as the state continues to recover from a second wave of COVID-19 cases, the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and Western Australia all recorded an increase in sales.

It is these green-shoots, as well as upcoming changes to financial lending restrictions, that have FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber hopeful of an impending recovery.

“First of all, we are seeing COVID-19 health restrictions across Australia, and in particular in metropolitan Melbourne, continue to ease,” said Mr Weber.

“Another sign that the market may improve is the announcement by the Federal Government last week of an easing of lending conditions for private buyers and small business in Australia.

“Freeing up restrictions around financial lending will act as a stimulus for Australian industry.”

Top 10 models sold, September 2020:

1. Ford Ranger – 3,726 (+19.6 per cent compared to September 2019)
2. Toyota Hi-Lux – 3,610 (+7.3 per cent)
3. Toyota RAV4 – 2,433 (+41.8 per cent)
4. Hyundai i30 – 1,786 (-27.0 per cent)
5. Mazda CX-5 – 1,765 (-25.1 per cent)
6. Toyota Landcruiser – 1,599 (-0.7 per cent)
7. Kia Cerato – 1,599 (-34.1 per cent)
8. Toyota Corolla – 1,462 (-34.1 per cent)
9. Mitsubishi Triton – 1,446 (-51.8 per cent)
10. Hyundai Tucson – 1,199 (-19.4 per cent)

Top 10 Brands, September 2020:

1. Toyota – 12,936 (-14.7 per cent compared to September 2019)
2. Mazda – 7,000 (-14.3 per cent)
3. Hyundai – 5,273 (-27.2 per cent)
4. Kia – 5,092 (-0.7 per cent)
5. Ford – 4,816 (+0.7 per cent)
6. Mitsubishi – 4,179 (-53.5 per cent)
7. Volkswagen – 3,493 (-8.5 per cent)
8. Nissan – 2,588 (-44.4 per cent)
9. Mercedes-Benz (-10.7 per cent)
10. Subaru – 2,121 (-39.4 per cent)

Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries

7 October 2020