VFACTS July 2023: Record sales as supply returns to normal

The Australian new vehicle market broke the all-time July sales record last month, with 96,589 sales to be up 14.7 per cent year-over-year with the same number of selling days.

The previous July record was 92,754 units back in 2017.

The strong performance – mirrored across all states and territories – is indicative of improved supply and the subsequent clearing of order backlogs that have frustrated customers and dealers alike.

The July result builds on the 2023 market yielding the best June result in five years, an all-time record for May. Year-to-date the new vehicle market sits at 9.0 per cent up over 2022, making it the best result since 2018.

Sales results to the end of July:

“During the past twelve months the issue has been one of securing supply for consumers, however as these pressures ease, we are starting to see a return to more stable market conditions,” said Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief Tony Weber.

“[However] many of these vehicles were ordered several months ago, so it is important to monitor the broader economic conditions through 2023 and their impact on private and business demand.”

Sales of zero and low emission (tailpipe) vehicles continued to grow with 17.9 per cent being battery electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid models. BEVs accounted for 7.0 per cent of July sales.

Brands

Toyota had a better month relatively speaking than it did June, with its market share subsequently recovering to 19.8 per cent – something closer to the norm. Staples such as the Corolla (up 8.2 per cent), RAV4 (up 12.8 per cent), and Prado (up 75.4 per cent) benefitted from better supply.

Next in the running order were Mazda (up 5.4 per cent), Ford (up 60.4 per cent with both Ranger 4×4 and Everest nearly doubling their July 2022 tallies), Hyundai (down 4.0 per cent) and Kia (down 8.4 per cent). Kia (45,310 YTD) still leads its big brother Hyundai (44,228) YTD.

Next were MG (up 77.2 per cent), Mitsubishi (down 26.2 per cent with supply constraints a factor there), Tesla, Subaru (up 25.9 per cent thanks to the new Crosstrek) and Isuzu Ute (up 21.5 per cent).

Other brands that recorded strong results for the month on the back of improved supply included Volkswagen (up 46.8 per cent), Lexus (up 159.3 per cent and on record pace), Skoda (up 26.3 per cent), Land Rover (up 94.5 per cent), and Porsche (up 80.4 per cent).

There are a few less-familiar nameplates making inroads such as BYD (1005 sales), Chery (651), Polestar (306), and Cupra (221).

For the full brand sales list for July 2023 see below:

Models

The top 20 nameplates for July 2023 are as follows. The list comprises six mid-sized SUVs, five large SUVs, four pickups, three small SUVs, and two small passenger cars.

Six of the top 20 nameplates were made by Toyota.

1. Ford Ranger: 5143
2. Toyota HiLux: 4670
3. MG ZS: 3852
4. Tesla Model Y: 3330
5. Toyota RAV4: 2750
6. Toyota Corolla: 2145
7. Isuzu D-Max: 2070
8. Hyundai i30: 1865
9. Toyota Prado: 1836
10. Mitsubishi Outlander: 1778
11. Hyundai Tucson: 1662
12. Mazda CX-5: 1616
13. Mazda CX-3: 1563
14. Toyota Kluger: 1313
15. Ford Everest: 1288
16. Isuzu MU-X: 1270
17. Kia Sportage: 1239
18. Toyota Landcruiser Wagon: 1230
19. Mazda BT-50: 1195
20. Subaru Crosstrek: 1179

Segments

• Micro Cars: Kia Picanto (823), Fiat 500 (50)
• Light Cars under $30,000: MG 3 (1040), Suzuki Swift (681), Kia Rio (638)
• Light Cars over $30,000: Mini (176), Audi A1 (28), Skoda Fabia (20)
• Small Cars under $40,000: Toyota Corolla (2145), Hyundai i30 (1865), Mazda 3 (833)
• Small Cars over $40,000: Volkswagen Golf (388), Mercedes-Benz A-Class (246), Audi A3 (237)
• Medium Cars under $60,000: Toyota Camry (1046), Skoda Octavia (97), Mazda 6 (88)
• Medium Cars over $60,000: Tesla Model 3 (604), Polestar 2 (306), BMW 3 Series (232)
• Large Cars under $70,000: Kia Stinger (92), Skoda Superb (18), Citroen C5 X (4)
• Large Cars over $70,000: BMW 5 Series (63), Mercedes-Benz EQE (54), Porsche Taycan (53)
• Upper LargeCars: Mercedes-Benz EQS (10), Mercedes-Benz S-Class (9), Porsche Panamera (8)
• People Movers: Kia Carnival (964), LDV MIFA (81), Hyundai Staria (72)
• Sports Cars under $80,000: Toyota GR86 (136), Subaru BRZ (126), Ford Mustang (120)
• Sports Cars over $80,000: Mercedes-Benz C-Class (99), BMW 4 Series (62), Toyota Supra (37)
• Sports Cars over $200,000: Porsche 911 (49), Lamborghini 2-door range (25), Ferrari range (24)

• Light SUVs: Mazda CX-3 (1563), Kia Stonic (677), Hyundai Venue (557)
• Small SUVs under $45,000: MG ZS (3852), Subaru Crosstrek (1179), Toyota Corolla Cross (1154)
• Small SUVs over $45,000: BMW X1 (359), Volvo XC40 (336), Audi Q3 (285)
• Medium SUVs under $60,000: Toyota RAV4 (2750), Mitsubishi Outlander (1778), Hyundai Tucson (1662)
• Medium SUVs over $60,000: Tesla Model Y (3330), Lexus NX (658), Mazda CX-60 (628)
• Large SUVs under $70,000: Toyota Prado (1836), Toyota Kluger (1313), Ford Everest (1288)
• Large SUVs over $70,000: Land Rover Defender (336), BMW X5 (309), Lexus RX (184)
• Upper Large SUVs under $120,000: Toyota LandCruiser (1230), Nissan Patrol (466), Land Rover Discovery (42)
• Upper Large SUVs over $120,000: Lexus LX (86), BMW X7 (82), Mercedes-Benz G-Class (52)

• Light Vans: Peugeot Partner (37), Volkswagen Caddy (28), Renault Kangoo (1)
• Medium Vans: Toyota HiAce (241), LDV G10 (239), Hyundai Staria Load (162)
• Large Vans: LDV Deliver 9 (263), Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (260), Fiat Ducato (138)
• Light Buses: Toyota HiAce (231), Toyota Coaster (36), LDV Deliver 9 (32)
• 4×2 Utes: Toyota HiLux (893), Isuzu D-Max (389), Ford Ranger (315)
• 4×4 Utes: Ford Ranger (4828), Toyota HiLux (3777), Isuzu D-Max (1681)
• Utes above $100k: Ram 1500 (282), Chevrolet Silverado HD (113), Chevrolet Silverado (104)

Miscellaneous

Sales by region

• New South Wales: 29,516, up 11.3 per cent
• Victoria: 27,097, up 22.7 per cent
• Queensland: 19,719, up 4.3 per cent
• Western Australia: 9797, up 21.6 per cent
• South Australia: 6612, up 17.0 per cent
• Tasmania: 1777, up 33.9 per cent
• Australian Capital Territory: 1438, up 22.4 per cent
• Northern Territory: 903, up 19.4 per cent

Category breakdown

• SUV: 58.9 per cent share
• Light commercials: 19.9 per cent share
• Passenger cars: 17.7 per cent share
• Heavy commercials: 3.6 per cent share

Top segments by market share

• Medium SUV: 22.7 per cent share
• Small SUV: 16.8 per cent share
• 4×4 Utes: 15.6 per cent share
• Large SUV: 12.5 per cent share
• Small Car: 7.2 per cent share

Sales by buyer type

• Private buyers: 52,294, up 17.4 per cent
• Business fleets: 32,409, up 14.2 per cent
• Rental fleets: 6093, up 4.5 per cent
• Government fleets: 2607, up 26.9 per cent

Sales by propulsion or fuel type

• Petrol: 48,236, up 9.5 per cent
• Diesel: 27,791, down 3.5 per cent
• Hybrid: 9696, up 42.9 per cent
• Electric: 6846, up > 999 per cent
• PHEV: 834, up 44.3 per cent
• HydrogenFCEV: 0

Sales by country of origin

• Japan: 28,738, up 11.3 per cent
• Thailand: 20,086, up 6.9 per cent
• China: 15,853, up 130.1 per cent
• Korea: 13,469, down 4.8 per cent
• Germany: 4796, up 26.3 per cent

Some previous monthly reports

• June 2023 Australian new vehicle sales (VFACTS)
• May 2023 Australian new vehicle sales (VFACTS)
• April 2023 Australian new vehicle sales (VFACTS)
• March 2023 Australian new vehicle sales (VFACTS)
• Feb 2023 Australian new vehicle sales (VFACTS)
• Jan 2023 Australian new vehicle sales (VFACTS)
• Full year 2022 Australian new vehicle sales (VFACTS)

Got any questions about car sales? Ask away in the comments and we’ll jump in!