VFACTS July 2022: Market up, Toyota dominates with strong HiLux and RAV4 sales

The Australian new-car market experienced a small but important lift in July 2022, with a total of 84,461 sales contributing to a year-to-date total of 622,319.

That number represents a 0.4 per cent increase – 300 vehicles – over the same month in 2021, according to data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) today. July's up-tick follows the worst June result recorded since 2011.

In terms of body styles, traditional passenger vehicles were down in July by 9.1 per cent (1596 vehicles) over the same month in 2021, while SUVs were up by 2684 sales. Light commercial vehicles (utes and vans) were down by 930 sales.

Still an up-hill battle on supply

Despite the overall improved sales figures delivered las month, the FCAI described the result as "relatively flat", reminding buyers that the market remains heavily affected by plant shutdowns caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"While small growth on the same month in 2021 is encouraging, we do not expect the supply of vehicles to Australia to stabilise in the near future," FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said.

“Once again Australia is following the global trend of demand for new vehicles exceeding supply,” Mr Weber said.

Across the country

Sales in South Australia and New South Wales leaped 13.3 per cent (5649 sales) and 10.9 per cent (26,519) respectively, but all other states saw a decline.

The ACT and Northern Territory were down 16.4 per cent (1175) and 16.6 per cent (756) respectively. Queensland was down 1.1 per cent (18,900), Tasmania dropped by 13.2 per cent (1,327), Victoria down 5.8 per cent (22,076) and Western Australia down 9.0 per cent (8059).

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Top 10 models 🥇

The HiLux was the market's top-performing model, with 6441 sales surpassing the 5355 sales recorded for the popular ute in June.

With the HiLux on the top podium step, the Ford Ranger took second place on 2934 sales, with the new-generation Ranger officially going on sale in mid-July.

Ford has confirmed we can expect relatively low sales numbers over the coming months, with supply not expected to ramp up until at least the fourth quarter.

Toyota's RAV4 was the highest-selling passenger vehicle, with 2437 sales giving it third place in July. The Mazda CX-5 (2346) and Hyundai Tucson (2186) followed, further cementing the medium SUV as a favourite format for Australian families.

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Top 10 cars in Australia: July 2022

Top 10 cars in Australia: YTD 2022

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Top 10 car brands 🥇

No surprise, Toyota was again the top-selling brand in July, with 19,565 vehicles sold.

Mazda followed on 7879 sales, while Hyundai (6792), Kia (6711) and Mitsubishi (5611) rounded out the top five; followed by Ford (4439), MG (3018), Isuzu Ute (2748), Subaru (2822) and Nissan (2189). Mercedes-Benz, eighth in June, slipped out of the top 10 in July.

Year-to-date, Toyota leads with 140,942 sales (up from 136,596), followed by Mazda (57,811 v 69,365), Mitsubishi (47,349 v 42,745), Kia (46,130 v 43,096), Hyundai (44,959 v 43,696), Ford (33,001 v 43,452), MG (27,525 v 22,857), Isuzu Ute (21,537 v 22,208), Subaru (19,819 v 22,469) and Nissan (17,438 v 26,673).

Ups and downs 🔼 🔽

Standout movements up-and-down include a year-on-year improvement of 34.2 per cent for Hyundai (6792 sales July 2022 v 5062 July 2021), 31 per cent for Ram (426 v 325) and 29 per cent for Kia (6711 v 5202).

Land Rover sales were down 66.1 per cent (289 sales July 2022 v 852 July 2021), Volkswagen was down 47.3 per cent (2022 v 3840), Isuzu Ute was down 19.2 per cent (1092 v 756) and Nissan was down 18.7 per cent (2189 v 2691). In most cases, the bulk of these can be attributed to supply issues.

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Top 10 brands: July 2022

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Top 10 brands: YTD 2022

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In charts 📊

July 2022 – Top 10 models

July – Top 10 brands

July 2022 – Overall segment sales

July 2022-2021 category sales

July 2022-2021 category YTD sales

2022 Sales race

July 2022 Australian sales map

July 2022 buyer type