VFACTS: Records broken in August

AUSTRALIAN new car sales have set an all-time August record with 109,966 new vehicles delivered. The figure represents a 14,710 unit or 15.4 per cent increase over the same period in 2022, despite the same number of selling days (26.8).

It translates to an increase of 548.9 vehicle sales per day with SUVs up, along with increased throughput of light and heavy commercial vehicles.

The SUV market was up by 13,742 units – or 28.3 per cent in August when measured against the same time last year – while LCV sales were up by 1559 units (6.9 per cent) and HCVs rose by 70 units or 1.7 per cent.

Only the passenger vehicle market fell, down 661 units ( 3.3 per cent) over August last year.

Medium SUV sales led the market with 23,862 units delivered in August, ahead of 4x4 utes at 18,626 units and small SUVs with 17,480 units.

August is the fifth month in a row of above-average new-vehicle sales for Australia. Against the year prior, April sales were up 1.3 per cent, May 15.6 per cent (record month), June 25.0 per cent, and July 14.7 per cent (another record).

Toyota again led the market in August, selling a total of 22,321 units, equating to 13,863  deliveries and 12.6 market share points more than second-placed Mazda which shifted 8458 units.

Ford placed third for the month of August, primarily due to the success of its Ranger utility, with 7898 vehicles sold.

The Toyota HiLux was Australia’s best-selling vehicle in August recording 5762 deliveries, just two more than the Ranger and demolishing Ford in the 4x2 ute segment but well behind on more lucrative 4x4 variants.

A distant third was the Toyota RAV4 (3317), followed closely by the Isuzu Ute D-Max (3281) and MG ZS (3193) rounding out Australia’s top five most-popular new vehicles in August.

Compared with August 2022, sales across every state and territory increased last month. 

Western Australia made the most significant gain at 32.5 per cent (11,637 units) ahead of South Australia with 21.9 per cent (6952 units), Australian Capital Territory 21.5 per cent (1713 units) and Northern Territory 21.4 per cent (991 units).

Sales in Victoria rose 16.3 per cent (29,126 units), Tasmania 14.4 per cent (1843 units), New South Wales 13.6 per cent (34,655 units) and Queensland 7.8 per cent (23,049 units).

According to FCAI chief executive Tony Weber, the August result is positive news for importers and consumers alike.

“The Australian automotive sector continues to demonstrate its strength, with August recording unprecedented sales figures, reflecting both a high level of demand from Australians and improved supply of vehicles,” he said.

“Year-to-date sales have increased 9.9 per cent which is a better indicator of the underlying strength of the market.

Mr Weber added that electric vehicles accounted for 6.4 per cent of sales and hybrid vehicles accounted for 10.5 per cent of sales in August, demonstrating a growing preference toward new energy vehicles.

Petrol power still led the charge in August with 52,407 passenger vehicle sales ahead of 33,590 diesel sales, 11,584 hybrid electric vehicle sales, 6984 battery electric vehicle sales, 1113 plug-in hybrid vehicle sales and two hydrogen vehicle sales.

“As consumers continue to embrace low emissions technologies, we are seeing growth in electric, plug-in and hybrid vehicle sales. More than one in six vehicles sold in the month of August featured low emissions technologies.”

Top 10 vehicle sales by make (August 2023):

Top 10 vehicle sales by model (August 2023):

State by state (August 2023):

*All sales data supplied courtesy of the FCAI.