China top source for new vehicles

China overtook Japan last month to become Australia’s largest source of new vehicles for the first time, according to figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI). 

Australia’s new-vehicle market recorded 90,712 sales in February, which was down 4,281 units or 4.5 per cent compared with the same month last year. 

The total included 22,362 vehicles sourced from China and 21,671 from Japan, which had been the market’s leading supplier since 1998. 

Thailand was the third-largest source of new vehicles with 19,493 and South Korea was next on 11,913.

Tony Weber, FCAI’s chief executive, notes 10 new brands have entered the Australian market since 2020, of which six have been in the past two years alone, and nine of those are based in China. 

“After 28 years, Japan has been overtaken by China as the largest source of vehicles for the Australian market in a single month,” adds Weber, pictured. 

“The Australian market is one of the most open and competitive in the world. New brands can enter, establish dealer networks and compete on price, technology and design. Consumers are the beneficiaries of that competition.” 

Ford’s Ranger was the top-selling model in February with 4,325 units, followed by the Toyota Hilux on 3,625 and the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro with 2,315. Completing the top was Mazda’s CX-5 and Isuzu Ute D-Max with 2,099 and 2,092 sales respectively. 

Toyota was the leading marque with 13,606 sales last month. Next was Mazda on 7,042, Ford with 6,907, Kia on 6,710 and Hyundai with 6,266. 

The FCAI notes battery EVs accounted for 11.8 per cent of the market, which was a record high monthly share for the segment.