New-vehicle sales shy of record
Registrations of new vehicles in Australia totalled 108,606 last month and were down 0.9 per cent – or 1,041 units – from the same period a year ago, which was the best-ever March result.
Ford’s Ranger, pictured, was the top-selling model in March this year with 4,932 sales, according to the latest figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive industries (FCAI).
The ute was followed by two Toyotas, the RAV4 and Hilux, on 4,321 and 4,081 registrations respectively.
Mitsubishi’s Outlander was fourth on the sales charts on 3,005 units and the Toyota Prado completed the top five with 2,871.
Toyota was the leading marque in March with 20,541 registrations. Next was Ford on 8,232, Mazda with 8,000, Kia on 7,307 and Mitsubishi with 7,265.
The FCAI notes sales of plug-in hybrids (PHEV) last month were up 380 per cent from March 2024, reflecting the impact of the removal of the federal government’s fringe benefit tax exemption for these vehicles from April 1.
It continues that overall sales are strong but the EV transition is not progressing at a pace likely to meet the long-term targets of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which was introduced this year.
EVs represented 4.9 per cent of total sales reported to FCAI last month, compared with 9.5 per cent in March 2024 and 6.8 per cent in March 2023.
Tony Weber, chief executive, says: “We are at a critical point in transitioning to a lower-emission vehicle fleet. But the reality is clear: Australian families and businesses are not shifting in large numbers to EVs.
“While the supply of EVs is increasing, now with 89 models available in Australia, the demand for EVs is weak. The early adopters have acted but the rest of the vehicle-buying public has not followed.
“This is consistent with a number of other advanced markets around the world.”
He adds the Australian automotive industry has long advocated for an “ambitious and achievable emissions standard” but questions the government’s modelling and assumptions about consumer acceptance of new low-emissions technologies.
