Vehicle sales surge amid economic challenges
New vehicle sales have surged to a record high, defying cost-of-living pressures and increased interest rates. Despite ongoing supply chain issues, industry figures for 2023 reveal a noteable achievement.
Last year was the best year yet for vehicle sales in Australia, with 1,216,780 vehicles sold nation-wide. This marks the first time since the pre-COVID era that such a high result has been observed, 2017 came close with 1,189,116 sales. Tasmania saw a 26.2% increase in vehicle sales between December 2022 and 2023.
In a surprising turn of events, the Toyota Hilux, which had been the top dog for seven years, was overtaken by the Ford Ranger, now Australia’s favourite vehicle. But that's not the only exciting shift in the automotive world.
Australia’s top car models – 2023
Ford Ranger – 63,356
Toyota Hilux – 61,111
Isuzu Ute D-Max – 31,202
Toyota RAV4 – 29,627
MG ZS – 29,258
Tesla Model Y – 28,769
Toyota Landcruiser – 26,449
Mitsubishi Outlander – 24,263
Mazda CX-5 – 23,083
Hyundai Tucson – 21,224
Tony Weber from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries highlights this as a testament to the dynamic and competitive nature of our automotive market. It’s all about offering you a variety of choices to suit your budget and style.
Australia’s top car brands – 2023
Toyota – 215,240
Mazda – 100,008
Ford – 87,800
Kia – 76,120
Hyundai – 75,183
Mitsubishi – 63,511
MG – 58,346
Tesla – 46,116
Subaru – 46,114
Isuzu Ute – 45,341
A notable trend is the domination of SUVs and light commercial vehicles, comprising a whopping 78.4% of all sales, including all top 10 models of 2023.
And here’s something we're thrilled about: the surge in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrids. Sales more than doubled compared to 2022, making up 16.2% of new vehicle sales. This is a significant leap towards more sustainable and eco-friendly transportation, a vision we at RACT fully support.
So, what's next for Aussie drivers? Expect a diverse range of vehicles tailored to work, play, and everything in between, all packed with the latest tech and safety features. It's an exciting time to be on the road, and we're here to help you navigate this ever-evolving landscape.
