Electric sales light up

Registrations across the new-vehicle market last month were the weakest for an April since 2015.

The results follow the introduction of the full clean car discount scheme, which became operative on April 1, reports the Motor Industry Association (MIA).

There were 9,756 new vehicles registered last month. This total was down by 25.7 per cent, or by 3,377 units, when compared to April 2021. 

Year to date, the market is up by 3.4 per cent and 1,853 units compared to the first four months of last year.

During April, there were 8,536 passenger cars and SUVs registered for the second strongest month on record with hybrids now eligible for discounts. This part of the market was down by 3.3 per cent, or 287 units, on April last year.

However, 1,220 new commercial vehicle registrations were down by 72 per cent – and by 3,090 units – when compared to the same month a year ago with sales of light commercial models coming in at just 730 units.

David Crawford, chief executive of the MIA, says: “It’s the first time in more than a decade that a ute hasn’t made it into the top three for monthly registrations. It is anticipated sales of utes will gradually recover as the year progresses.”

Toyota was April’s overall market leader with a share of 18 per cent and 1,744 units. Mitsubishi was second with 17 per cent and 1,623 units, while Suzuki was third with eight per cent and 797 units. 

Year to date, Mitsubishi has 17 per cent, Toyota sits on 13 per cent and Ford has a market share of nine per cent.

Car registrations

The top model for April was the Mitsubishi Outlander with 837 units. It was followed by the Toyota RAV4 on 716 and Mitsubishi’s Eclipse Cross on 544.

There were 572 pure electric vehicles, of which two were heavy, 1,113 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and 2,145 hybrids sold last month.

The Polestar 2, pictured, secured 81 registrations. It was followed by Nissan’s Leaf on 71 and Hyundai’s Kona on 70 units. 

As for PHEVs, that ladder was topped by the Eclipse Cross with 497 units. It was followed by the Outlander on 479 and MG HS with 28 units.

“As anticipated, sales of petrol hybrids recovered in April with some consumers delaying purchases to take advantage of rebates these vehicles now attract under the clean car discount,” says Crawford.

There were 2,145 hybrids registered in April with the top-selling models being the Toyota RAV4 with 525, the Honda Jazz on 461 and Toyota’s Corolla with 198 units. Toyota regained the market lead for cars and SUVs with a 19 per cent market share and 1,598 units. Next up were Mitsubishi with 18 per cent and 1,570 units, and Suzuki on 794 for nine per cent of the market.

Crawford says: “With the weak sales of utes for the month, not surprisingly the top spots for April 2022 went to the passenger and SUV segments, with the small to medium segments accounting for 78 per cent of registrations.”

Medium-sized SUVs came first with 27 per cent. Compact SUVs were second with 23 per cent. The light-passenger segment was third with a market share of 16 per cent. 

Commercial sales

In a weak market for light commercial vehicles, Ford regained the lead with a 25 per cent share and 305 units. It was followed by Toyota on 12 per cent and 146, with Fuso in third with 105 and nine per cent.

The Ford Ranger was April’s best-selling commercial model with 287 registrations for a market share of 24 per cent.

Toyota’s Hilux came second with eight per cent and 103 units. The Nissan Navara claimed third place with seven per cent market and 85 sales. 

When it comes to the year-to-date market, the Ranger leads with 21 per cent or 4,282 units. Mitsubishi’s Triton also has a 21 per cent share, but 4,248 units. The Hilux has 15 per cent and 3,073 units.