Australia's new car sales up 16 per cent in July - VFACTS

New vehicle sales in Australia grew 16.1 per cent in July 2021 over the same month last year, to 84,161 units. It’s the highest July tally since 2018.

As such the year-to-date (YTD) sales total now sits 26.5 per cent higher than the same point in 2020, at 651,629 units – also the best YTD tally since 2018.

Monthly growth tallies in the states of Victoria (up 34.1 per cent), Queensland (up 26.1 per cent), and Western Australia (up 22.4 per cent) more than countered a drop-off of 1.7 per cent in New South Wales – a less severe hit than expected given the current COVID-19 lockdowns there.

Australia's new car sales up 16 per cent in July - VFACTS

The result was greeted by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) lobby group with open arms, considering the two-fold challenges of COVID-19 and huge stock shortages due to global semiconductor supply issues.

“The growth of 16.1 per cent shows the underlying strength, confidence and resilience in the market in spite of the challenges being presented due to lockdowns and ongoing delivery issues caused by microprocessor shortages and shipping delays,” contended FCAI chief executive Tony Weber.

Toyota, Mazda and Ford occupied the podium, Kia outsold Hyundai for the third successive month, rugged brands Isuzu Ute and Land Rover posted massive gains on the back of new models and evident stock; and so too did Chinese brands MG, GWM, and LDV on the back of strong supply as detailed here.

Sales of light commercials boomed, up 40.9 per cent for the month with 20,994 sales – equal to 24.9 per cent overall market share. Three of the top four vehicles were utes: the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, and Isuzu D-Max.

Furthermore, electric vehicle (EV) sales hit new highs. Excluding clear leader Tesla (which stubbornly refuses to disclose Australian sales data for unclear reasons), there were 515 EVs sold, up 273.2 per cent. PHEV sales hit 325, up 146.2 per cent.

EV grants and tax waivers were introduced in NSW and Victoria in July, which can’t have hurt on this front.

Brands

Toyota led the charge with 17,643 sales, up 13.8 per cent, and made four of the top 10-selling nameplates. Joining it on the podium were Mazda (8919, up 14.3 per cent) and Ford (5569, up 21.8 per cent).

Rounding out the top 10 were Mitsubishi (5302, up 13.2 per cent), Kia (5202, up 12.5 per cent), Hyundai (5062, up 9.2 per cent), Volkswagen (3840, up 3.5 per cent), Isuzu Ute (3403, up 156.4 per cent to an all-time high), MG (3313, up 197.1 per cent), and Mercedes-Benz Cars and Vans combined (2897, down 9.6 per cent).

Nissan (2691, down 7.4 per cent) and Subaru (2376, down 17.0 per cent) were left banging on the door of the top 10 in 11th and 12th spots respectively, ahead of a red-hot GWM/Haval (up nearly 300 per cent to 2011 sales).

Others that recorded above-average growth in July included, in sales order: BMW (up 79.4 per cent), LDV (up 66.5 per cent), Land Rover (up 178.4 per cent), Skoda (up 23.8 per cent), Lexus (up 47.1 per cent), Mini (up 68.0 per cent), SsangYong (up 38.8 per cent), Fiat (up 63.2 per cent), and Genesis (up 281.8 per cent).

Other manufacturers that recorded worse sales results in July 2021 than they did during July 2020, included: Honda (822, down 62.6 per cent), Peugeot (187, down 35.5 per cent), and Alfa Romeo (54, down 42.6 per cent).

Honda Australia claims the sales results were reflective of its new fixed-price business model in Australia that commenced at the start of the month, in which it owns all stock until sold to customers, rather than wholesaling to dealers.

The company said it started July with no carryover orders, meaning it was always going to be a very quiet month as it built up an order bank. It’s worth noting Honda Australia’s monthly sales target from here averages out to about 1650.

July 2021: Sales by brand

Brand	Sales	Against July 2020
Toyota	17,643	Up 13.8%
Mazda	8919	Up 14.3%
Ford	5569	Up 21.8%
Mitsubishi	5302	Up 13.2%
Kia	5202	Up 12.5%
Hyundai	5062	Up 9.2%
Volkswagen	3840	Up 3.5%
Isuzu Ute	3403	Up 156.4%
MG	3313	Up 197.1%
Mercedes-Benz	2897	Down 9.6%
Nissan	2691	Down 7.4%
Subaru	2376	Down 17.0%
GWM	2011	Up 298.2%
BMW	1814	Up 79.4%
Suzuki	1528	Up 3.6%
Audi	1371	Up 4.3%
LDV	1202	Up 66.5%
Land Rover	852	Up 178.4%
Honda	822	Down 62.6%
Skoda	806	Up 23.8%
Lexus	775	Up 47.1%
Volvo Car	736	Up 6.4%
Jeep	631	Up 24.0%
Renault	564	Up 0.9%
Mini	336	Up 68.0%
Ram Trucks	325	Up 16.1%
SsangYong	272	Up 38.8%
Porsche	247	Up 7.4%
Chevrolet	205	N/A
Fiat	204	Up 63.2%
Peugeot	187	Down 35.5%
Jaguar	132	Up 65.0%
Genesis	84	Up 281.8%
Alfa Romeo	54	Down 42.6%
Maserati	44	Down 17.0%
Bentley	25	Up 212.5%
Chrysler	19	Down 17.4%
Ferrari	13	Up 8.3%
Citroen	12	Up 20.0%
Lamborghini	9	Down 25.0%
Aston Martin	7	Down 12.5%
McLaren	5	Down 37.5%
Lotus	4	Up 33.3%
Rolls-Royce	4	Down 50.0%
Morgan	3	N/A
Alpine	2	N/A

Models

The top 20 models list comprised six utes, four mid-sized SUVs, three small SUVs, two large SUVs, one light car, and four small cars.

July 2021: Sales by model

Model	Sales	Against July 2020
Toyota HiLux	4610	Up 56.4%
Ford Ranger	4064	Up 30.9%
Toyota Corolla	2535	Up 15.6%
Isuzu D-Max	2427	Up 244.2%
Mazda CX-5	2389	Up 38.3%
Toyota RAV4	2345	Down 45.6%
Toyota Prado	2251	Up 189.0%
Hyundai i30	1914	Up 9.7%
Mitsubishi Outlander	1792	Up 81.2%
MG ZS	1786	Up 446.2%
Mitsubishi Triton	1580	Down 0.8%
Kia Cerato	1524	Up 26.3%
Hyundai Tucson	1265	Uop 16.4%
Mazda BT-50	1224	Up 20.9%
Nissan Navara	1209	Up 38.8%
Mazda 3	1186	Down 3.1%
Mazda CX-3	1160	Down 14.4%
Mazda CX-30	1126	Up 13.7%
MG 3	1113	Up 94.9%
Toyota Kluger	1078	Up 2.0%

Segments

We can also identify the most popular models in each vehicle segment.

Micro Cars: Kia Picanto (404), Fiat 500 (64), Mitsubishi Mirage (50)
Light Cars under $25,000: MG 3 (1113), Kia Rio (618), Volkswagen Polo (534)
Light Cars over $25,000: Mini Hatch (194), Audi A1 (82), Citroen C3 (8)
Small Cars under $40,000: Toyota Corolla (2535), Hyundai i30 (1914), Kia Cerato (1524)
Small Cars over $40,000: Mercedes-Benz A-Class (375), BMW 1 Series (213), BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (149)
Medium Cars under $60,000: Toyota Camry (921), Volkswagen Passat (158), Mazda 6 (156)
Medium Cars over $60,000: BMW 3 Series (235), Lexus IS (162), Mercedes-Benz CLA (158)
Large Cars under $70,000: Kia Stinger (58), Skoda Superb (44)
Large Cars over $70,000: BMW 5 Series (56), Porsche Taycan (45), Mercedes-Benz E-Class (37),
Upper Large Cars: Chrysler 300 (19), Mercedes-Benz S-Class (14), Porsche Panamera and BMW 7 Series (8)
People Movers: Kia Carnival (402), Volkswagen Multivan (77), LDV G10 (76)
Sports Cars under $80,000: Ford Mustang (142), Mazda MX-5 (63), Mini Cabrio (26)
Sports Cars over $80,000: BMW 4 Series (96), Mercedes-Benz C-Class (85), Mercedes-Benz E-Class (24)
Sports Cars over $200,000: Porsche 911 (44), Ferrari range (13), Bentley Continental (8)

Light SUVs: Mazda CX-3 (1160), Kia Stonic (849), Toyota Yaris Cross (472)
Small SUVs under $40,000: MG ZS (1786), Mazda CX-30 (1126), Subaru XV (895)
Small SUVs over $40,000: Audi Q3 (550), Volvo XC40 (421), Mercedes-Benz GLA (280)
Medium SUVs under $60,000: Mazda CX-5 (2389), Toyota RAV4 (2345), Mitsubishi Outlander (1792)
Medium SUVs over $60,000: Mercedes-Benz GLB (300), BMW X3 (262), Volvo XC60 (207)
Large SUVs under $70,000: Toyota Prado (2251), Toyota Kluger (1078), Isuzu MU-X (976)
Large SUVs over $70,000: Mercedes-Benz GLE (345), Land Rover Defender (321), BMW X5 (269)
Upper Large SUVs under $100,000: Toyota LandCruiser (538), Nissan Patrol (292)
Upper Large SUVs over $100,000: Mercedes-Benz GLS (93), Land Rover Discovery (90), BMW X7 (68)

Light Vans: Volkswagen Caddy (58), Renault Kangoo (42), Peugeot Partner (14)
Medium Vans: Toyota HiAce (625), Ford Transit Custom (243), Renault Trafic (203)
Large Vans: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (376), LDV Deliver 9 (160), Fiat Ducato (14)
Light Buses: Toyota HiAce (214), Toyota Coaster (22), LDV Deliver 9 (18)
4×2 Utes: Toyota HiLux (820), Isuzu D-Max (632), Ford Ranger (381)
4×4 Utes: Toyota HiLux (3790), Ford Ranger (3683), Isuzu D-Max (1795)