VFACTS: Strongest May on record

AUSTRALIA has recorded its best-ever May sales result with 105,694 new vehicles delivered – an increase of 11,311 units (or 12.0 per cent) against the same period last year.

There were 26.8 selling days in May 2023 compared with 25.8 in May 2022, which the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) says translates to an increase of 285.6 vehicle sales per day.

Last month’s result is a 2.7 per cent increase on the previous May sales record that was set in 2017, and says year-to-date deliveries of 456,833 units represent a 4.3 per cent increase over the same month last year.

Every state and territory saw an increase in sales through May, with significant growth in Western Australia (25.1 per cent) and Queensland (17.4 per cent) compared with May 2022.

Growth was recorded across all buyer types – private, business, government and rental – compared with May 2022.

Interestingly, and despite previous downward trends, the passenger vehicle market was up across May with an additional 868 vehicles sold against the same month in 2022, or a rise of 5.0 per cent.

SUV sales continued to climb, up by 7552 units (or 14.7 per cent), while light commercial vehicles rose by 2296 units (or 10.7 per cent) and heavy commercial vehicles jumped 595 units (or 14.4 per cent) versus May 2022.

Toyota was the market leader again in May, followed by Mazda and Hyundai. Toyota (with 18,340 unit sales) led Mazda with a margin of 9865 units and 9.4 market share points, while also returning its HiLux light commercial utility to top spot on the sales ladder.

HiLux sales of 5772 units in May outpaced the Ford Ranger by 1662 units. The Tesla Model Y placed third with 3178 deliveries ahead of the Toyota RAV4 (2616 units) and fifth-placed MG ZS (2502 units).

Strong new energy vehicle sales from within and outside of the top-five – the Tesla Model Y being fully electric, the Toyota RAV4 offering hybrid electric power and the MG ZS offering a battery electric variant – contributed to a 15.6 per cent increase in electrified vehicle sales in May, with battery electric vehicle sales accounting for an unprecedented 7.7 per cent of the entire market.

FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said that while May’s results are encouraging, he is cautious that broader economic conditions may yet impact the year’s final tally.

“This result is a signal that we are starting to see some improvement in supply,” said Mr Weber.

“However, not all issues are resolved, and our members continue to work with their customers to improve vehicle delivery times.

“A large proportion of vehicles delivered this month would have been ordered during 2022. Since then, we have seen a shift in economic conditions with a focus on rising cost pressures for households and businesses.

“Nevertheless, reports from our members indicate that demand remains firm,” he said.

Top 10 vehicle sales by make (May 2023):

Top 10 vehicle sales by model (May 2023):

State by state (May 2023):

*All sales data supplied courtesy of the FCAI.