VFACTS - July 2024

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Ford Ranger pipped by RAV4 in July.

https://www.drive.com.au/news/austra...e-vfacts-race/

Australian new-car sales in July 2024: Hybrid sales boom as Toyota RAV4 leads the VFACTS race

Toyota's RAV4 medium SUV was the most popular vehicle last month, with the market back up for a record July.

New car sales last month represent a new July record, with the Australian market appearing to bounce back from a dip the month before.

Last month 99,486 vehicles were delivered locally, 2.7 per cent more than in July 2023 – which was itself previously the highest July record, according to VFACTS data released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).

Although, this is the first time Tesla has not reported its numbers to the FCAI since it started doing so at the beginning of 2023. So with its numbers included, along with those of fellow electric car maker Polestar – which has also stopped reporting to the FCAI, the true total is 102,181.

Deliveries had declined for the first time in June 2024 following 14 months of consecutive growth, the longest streak in 20 years.

But much to the relief of the new car market, year-to-date numbers for 2024 as of the end of July are looking healthy, with 731,898 cars sold compared to 678,618 by this time last year – up 7.9 per cent.

In another shake-up, the Toyota RAV4 medium SUV has pipped the Ford Ranger as the top-selling new vehicle with 5933 sales compared to the ute’s 4915 – the fifth time the SUV has done so in its history.

The FCAI’s Chief Executive, Tony Weber, attributed the RAV4’s success to a shift in popularity towards hybrids and away from fully-electric vehicles in recent months.

“The hybrid performance is highlighted by the fact that the Toyota RAV4 was the top-selling vehicle for the month ahead of Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux. Most RAV4 sales are hybrids,” Mr Weber said.

“While the first seven months of 2024 have exceeded expectations, the industry remains cautious about the future pending the implementation of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard coupled with the economic conditions.”

Following behind the RAV4 and Ranger, the Toyota HiLux took third place in July, posting 4747 sales – though it was hardly a bad month for the brand which also had its Corolla take fourth place (2688), and Kluger end up in tenth (1705).

Ford also scored success with its Everest large SUV ending up in sixth (2162) and up 68 per cent, while the Isuzu D-Max finished slightly ahead in fifth (2369) – making three of the Top 5 vehicles utes.

Rounding out the Top 10 were the Mitsubishi Outlander (2110), Mazda CX-5 (2031) and MG ZS (1815).

Toyota remained the most popular new-vehicle brand last month, with 22,705 deliveries – putting it up by 18 per cent compared to July 2023, and up 29 per cent year-to-date.

It was followed by Mazda, which returned to its normal second place spot (8476 sales, up two per cent), and then Ford back in third (7749 sales, up nine per cent).

Kia finished slightly ahead of its Hyundai twin (fourth and fifth), recording 6620 deliveries and up eight per cent against Hyundai’s 6021, down eight per cent.

Nissan was knocked out of 10th by just 18 cars – its spot taken by Chinese car maker GWM, while MG returned to the Top 10 in July after dropping out in June to take 7th place.

Mitsubishi posted a 38 per cent increase to get 6th place, while Isuzu and Subaru took eighth and ninth respectively.

Electric vehicles accounted for 6.6 per cent of new vehicles reported as sold last month (taking into account Tesla and Polestar), down from seven per cent during the same month last year.

However, battery-electric vehicle sales have taken a hit in recent months, and July’s figures showed that trend to be continuing, with an 41 per cent drop compared to July 2023 (4048 v 6846). Year-to-date though, numbers are still increasing, with data showing they are 8.7 per cent up (54,267 v 49,938).

In contrast, hybrid sales are booming – up 88 per cent compared with July 2023 and 108 per cent year-to-date. Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales have also seen a huge increase, with 2209 shifted in July compared to just 965 in the same month last year – up 129 per cent for the month and 129 per cent for the year too.

TOP 10 CARS IN July 2024
Rank Model Volume July 2024 Change year-on-year
1 Toyota RAV4 5933 up 116 per cent
2 Ford Ranger 4915 up 9 per cent
3 Toyota HiLux 4747 down 14 per cent
4 Toyota Corolla 2688 up 25 per cent
5 Isuzu D-Max 2369 up 26 per cent
6 Ford Everest 2162 up 68 per cent
7 Mitsubishi Outlander 2110 up 19 per cent
8 Mazda CX-5 2031 up 26 per cent
9 MG ZS 1815 down 53 per cent
10 Toyota Kluger 1705 up 30 per cent

TOP 10 CAR BRANDS IN July 2024
Rank Brand Volume July 2024 Change year-on-year
1 Toyota 22,705 up 18 per cent
2 Mazda 8476 up 2 per cent
3 Ford 7749 up 9 per cent
4 Kia 6620 up 8 per cent
5 Hyundai 6021 down 8 per cent
6 Mitsubishi 5718 up 38 per cent
7 MG 4101 down 23 per cent
8 Isuzu Ute 3821 up 14 per cent
9 Subaru 3601 up 1 per cent
10 GWM 3319 up 29 per cent