July's biggest winners: GWM Haval, Genesis, MG, Land Rover and Isuzu Ute

Five carmakers enjoyed particularly strong Australian sales growth in July 2021 – a month in which the market as a whole grew 16 per cent despite COVID lockdowns and semiconductor-linked stock shortages galore.

These are China’s GWM Group (including the Haval sub-brand) and MG, startup Korean luxury brand Genesis, Britain-based icon Land Rover, and rugged ute and 4×4 maker Isuzu Ute.

We’d mention Tesla given its China-made Model 3 is understood to be growing at exponential pace at its new sub-$60,000 list price, but since the brand continuously refuses to disclose its sales data in Australia, we’re not able to.

Let’s dig a little into the figures, supplied by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries. For the full July report click here.

July's biggest winners: GWM Haval, Genesis, MG, Land Rover and Isuzu Ute — Genesis G70

Genesis – up 281.8 per cent

Hyundai’s luxury division will be a slow burn in Australia, given its small network of showrooms, fixed pricing model, and lack of badge cred against the big Germans.

But its 84 sales for July was up 281.8 per cent, and its 343 sales YTD are up 302.4 per cent. It’s a low base, but the numbers are going in a positive direction at pace, almost entirely down to its two SUV models.

July sales by model

The company’s new model rollout will continue for the next period of time. The GV70 SUV has just hit the market, ditto the facelifted G70 sedan and G80 sedan diesel variant.

Coming by year’s-end are the new G70 Shooting Brake, G80 Sport variant, and GV60 EV. In 2022 we are expecting to see the G80 EV and GV70 EV join the range, plus more showrooms in capitals.

GWM – up 298.2 per cent

The company formerly branded Great Wall Motor has a factory-backed operation in Australia selling the new GWM Ute and several Haval-branded SUVs called Jolion, H6 and H9.

Its sales for July totalled 2011 units, up 298.2 per cent over July 2020’s tally. It finished in 13th place overall, wedged between Subaru and BMW.

July sales by model

GWM Ute 4×4 – 762
Haval H6 – 524
Haval Jolion – 515
GWM Steed (in runout) – 143
Haval H9 – 43
Haval H2 (in runout) – 23

GWM Australia’s year-to-date (YTD) sales sit at 9575 units, up 268.4 per cent. The company has forecast 18,000 sales this year, which would equal 240 per cent growth.

New models expected inside a year include boxy Haval Big Dog medium SUV, hardcore Tank 300 4×4, and Ora-branded electric cars. It’ll also launch a 4×2 GWM Ute and a Toyota RAV4-rivalling Haval H6 Hybrid this year.

Isuzu Ute – 156.4 per cent

Isuzu Ute finished eighth on the sales charts in July despite only selling two models: the D-Max ute and MU-X SUV – a brand new version of which went on sale just last week.

Despite supply constraints on high-grade D-Max X-Terrains resulting in months-long wait lists, the company managed to sell 3403 vehicles last month, up 156.4 per cent over July 2020’s tally.

July sales by model

Isuzu D-Max 4×4 – 1795
Isuzu MU-X – 976
Isuzu D-Max 4×2 – 632

With the arrival of the new MU-X, that’s it as far as new models go for a while now, though there’ll be some updates along the way.

D-Max is ensconced as the number-three ute behind the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, and last month was the market’s fourth-top-telling vehicle of any type. The MU-X likely won’t catch Toyota’s Prado, but form suggests it’ll regularly outsell the Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.

Land Rover – up 178.4 per cent

Land Rover has been dealing with supply shortages all year, but bounced back in a big way during July 2021, with 852 sales and 178.4 per cent growth.

Star of the show was the new Defender with an impressive 321 sales, but of LR’s seven model lines, all bar the absolute flagship Range Rover grew over July 2020.

July sales by model

What’s next for Land Rover Australia, given much of its range is new or recently upgraded.

It’s recently introduced a new online ordering portal, and the Defender 90 SWD is currently rolling out alongside the longer 110. It’s also looking to bring more plug-in hybrids to Australia.

MG – up 197.1 per cent

Most manufacturers are fighting with a hand tied behind their backs due to limited stock. But rapidly-expanding MG says it has landed about 11,000 cars in Australia from China since June, including 4800 on a single ship two weeks ago.

Thus it finished ninth overall during July with 3313 sales, up 197.1 per cent. Its YTD sales are 22,857, equal to 233.3 per cent growth over 2020. The MG 3 is the nation’s top-selling light car, and the ZS its number-one small SUV. The ZS EV is also the land’s number-two EV behind the Tesla Model 3.

July sales by model

MG ZS – 1786
MG 3 – 1113
MG HS 414

With established brands upping their prices on the back of more spec, exchange rate pressures, and good old-fashioned supply/demand curves, MG’s sharp prices and long warranty are drawing thousands of new buyers on a budget.

What’s next? The just-revealed MG One SUV seems unlikely to come to Australia for now, ditto the MG 5 electric wagon sold in Europe. But there are various EVs and a sportscar halo potentially in the works.