Records tumble across ditch

Toyota’s RAV4 emerged as the leading model as Australia set another monthly record for new-vehicle sales, according to the Federal Chamber of Autotmotive Industries (FCAI).

The 97,202 units sold in April was a new high for the month and also took the year-to-date figures to a record-breaking 401,654, which was 50,515 more than in the same period of 2023.

The RAV4, pictured, was top of the pile last month with 5,857 sales followed by the Ford Ranger on 5,569 and Toyota’s Hilux with 4,693.

Ford’s Everest was next on 2,400 units and the Isuzu Ute D-Max completed the top five with 2,380 sales.

Toyota took out the number one spot on the marques’ ladder after selling 20,771 units in April. Next was Ford on 8,648, followed by Mazda with 7,301, Kia on 6,653 and Mitsubishi with 5,314).

Tony Weber, FCAI chief executive, says the continued growth in the Australian market has seen the industry break 10 record monthly sales results in the past year.

“April's result highlights strong consumer confidence in purchasing new vehicles, surpassing our expectations and is a testament to consumer choice and the industry's resilience in a challenging economic landscape.”

The demand for new vehicles has been buoyed by a strong appetite among consumers for SUVs and light commercial vehicles, which represented 55.7 per cent and 22 per cent of the market respectively last month. Passenger vehicles accounted for 17.8 per cent of sales.

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles captured 18.3 per cent of the market compared to 7.5 per cent in the same month last year. 

However, battery electric vehicles dropped from 7.9 per cent to 6.4 per cent of the market over the same timeframe.