The results for new car sales for the YTD to September 2023 have been released. Some 110,000 plus sales were recorded, which is anew record for the month and an 18% increase on the same time last year. 
SUV sales are still strong with over 56% of sales so far. Light commercial vehicles another almost 22%, passenger car sales still slipping with around 17.5% of sales.
Petrol is still the preferred fuel source with almost 50% of sales followed by diesel with 30%. Pure electric car sales account for around 7.3% so far this year. There have been more hybrids sold with about 8.5% of total sales.
Of the top ten models sold three were Utes, five were SUVs, there was one passenger car and one electric car.
Toyota remains the top selling brand with an increasing margin as we near the end of the year and supply increases. They are followed by Mazda, Ford Kia, and Hyundai. Next are Mitsubishi, MG, Tesla, Subaru, and Isuzu Ute.
With three months to go there are two key questions. Will Toyota return to over 20% market share and will electric car sales have surge.
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I’m Rob Fraser
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Mode details about Car Sales YTD September 2023
The underlying strength of the new vehicle market continued during September with 110,702 sales being recorded, representing an increase of 18.3 per cent on the corresponding period in 2022 and a new September record.
FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said almost 900,000 new sales had been achieved so far this year and four of the past five months had been record months.
“The record result shows that Australian car buyers value a broad choice of vehicles in a range of price brackets that suit the family or business budget,” Mr Weber said.
“Consumers have a choice of vehicles across 20 light vehicle segments – from small passenger cars through to larger utes – confirming Australia’s position as one of the most open and competitive new vehicle markets in the world.
“Our advice is that the supply of vehicles into Australia, including electric vehicles, continues to improve so those consumers who want to buy a new vehicle should visit a dealer or manufacturer.”
Car sales by vehicle style
Sales of SUVs and Light Commercial vehicles made up 79.4 per cent of sales. Passenger vehicles making up 16.8 per cent of sales.
Battery electric vehicles accounted for 8.0 per cent of sales. Electrified vehicles (battery electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid) recorded 18.3 per cent of sales.
Car sales by state
Sales across every State and Territory increased this month compared with September 2022.
- Sales in the Australian Capital Territory were 20.6 per cent (1,806);
- New South Wales 24.3 per cent (35,968);
- Queensland 13.5 per cent (23,415);
- South Australia 11.2 per cent (6,676);
- Tasmania 21.0 per cent (1,972);
- Victoria 16.0 per cent (29,426);
- Western Australia 22.4 per cent (10,577) and
- Northern Territory 3.6 per cent (862).
Car sales by brand
Toyota was the highest selling marque with 20,912 sales. Mazda followed with 8,031. Then Ford (8,015), Kia (7,303) and Hyundai (6,217).
The Toyota Hi-Lux was the top selling vehicle recording 5,776 sales. It was followed by Ford Ranger (5,429). Then Tesla Model Y (3,811), Isuzu Ute D-Max (2,885) and Toyota RAV4 (2,798).
VFACTS September 2023
Key Points:
- The September 2023 market of 110,702 new vehicle sales is an increase of 17,147 vehicle sales or 18.3% against September 2022 (93,555). There were 25.6 selling days in September 2023 compared with 24.6 in September 2022. This resulted in an increase of 521.2 vehicle sales per day.
- The Passenger Vehicle Market is up by 1,121 vehicle sales (6.4%) over the same month last year.
- Sports Utility Market is up by 14,409 vehicle sales (29.0%).
- Light Commercial Market is up by 1,541 vehicle sales (6.9%) and the
- Heavy Commercial Vehicle Market is up by 76 vehicle sales (1.8%) versus September 2022.
- Toyota was market leader in September, followed by Mazda and Ford. Toyota led Mazda with a margin of 12,881 vehicle sales and 11.6 market share points.
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