Australia May 2024: All time high market, Toyota Camry (+185.6%), Hyundai Kona (+127.4%) stand out

The Hyundai Kona knocks at the Top 10’s door in May.

13/06 update: Now with Top 320 All models ranking.

It’s a 5th consecutive monthly record for new car sales in Australia, up 5.1% to 111,099 units, eclipsing the previous record of 105,694 established just last year. The year-to-date tally is now up 12.2% to 512,753. SUV sales are timid for once at +1.2% year-on-year to 59,737 and 53.8% share vs. 55.8% in 2023 and 54.5% in 2022. Light Commercials advance 6.3% to 25,317 and 22.8% share vs. 22.5% last year and 23% in 2022 while Passenger Cars catch up on lost sales at +17.3% to 21,252 and 19.1% share vs. 17.1% in 2023 and 18.3% two years ago. Private sales trail the market slightly at +3.8% to 56,315, business fleets outpace it at +8.5% to 41,007 but rentals (-14.9% to 5,046) struggle. Government sales soar +31.6% to 3,938.

Petrol sales drop -13.5% to 45,262 for the month and -5.1% to 222,368 so far this year, reversely diesel is up 7.4% to 34,479 in May and +13.4% to 156,941 YTD just as hybrids surge 113.4% to 16,218 in May and +126.8% to 66,437 YTD. BEVs are up 10.5% to 8,974 and up 26.8% to 40,636 YTD and PHEV soar 73.6% to 1,373 for May and up 118.1% to 6,099 YTD. All states and territories are up this month bar the Northern Territory (-8.8% to 999). New South Wales is up 5.3% to 33,145, Victoria up 3.2% to 30,095, Queensland up 5.5% to 23,534, Western Australia up 5.4% to 12,334, South Australia up 11.3% to 7,501, Tasmania up 7.1% to 1,818 and Australian Capital Territory up 10.6% to 1,673. Looking at sales by provenance, Japan is up 20.7% to 34,214, Thailand up 20.4% to 24,841, China unusually down -7.1% to 16,682, South Korea off -3.6% to 14,643 and Germany up 4.2% to 5,152.

In the brands ranking, Toyota (+27.5%) vastly outpaces the market as it fills months or even years-old orders. Ford (+40.9%) is even more dynamic and confirms it is now the #2 brand in Australia. Mazda (-5.6%) disappoints in third place ahead of Kia (+7.2%) again outselling its twin brand Hyundai (-8.2%). Mitsubishi (+39.8%) and Isuzu Ute (+26.4%) shine at #6 and #7 respectively as does GWM (+17.9%) equalling its ranking record at #9. Tesla (-20.3%) is in freefall but climbs back into the Top 10 at #10, with MG (-13.9%) seemingly having reached a peak. BYD (+32.2%) breaks its ranking (#16), volume (1,914) and share (1.7%) records this month. Notice also Honda (+63.8%) and Chery (+22.9%) in fantastic shape further down the charts.

Model-wise, the Ford Ranger (+43.8%) for the 7th time in the past 8 month with 5.3% share. This time the Toyota Hilux (-1.2%) is not far behind at 5.1%. Leader last month, the Toyota RAV4 (+110.9%) falls to #3 but surges year-on-year. The Isuzu D-Max (+10.2%) and Mitsubishi Outlander (+33%) return to the rankings they hold year-to-date at #4 and #5 respectively. The Toyota Camry (+185.6%) shoots up year-on-year to #6, the nameplate’s highest ranking in almost 7 years: since July 2017 (#5). The Ford Everest (+159.9%), Toyota Corolla (+76%) and Tesla Model 3 (+50.8% and up 19 spots on April) also impress in the remainder of the Top 10. Just outside, the Hyundai Kona (+127.4%) equals its record ranking at #11, also reached in December 2020. The MG ZS (-26.4%) is kicked out of the Top 10 at #12, the Kia Cerato (+178.6%), Isuzu MU-X (+61.2%) and Kia Sportage (+59.1%) shine below. Notice also the BYD Seal breaking into the Top 30 for the first time at #29.

Previous month: Australia April 2024: Another record market, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Everest at all-time high

One year ago: Australia May 2023: Record market, Toyota Hilux reclaims lead

Full May 2024 Top 48 All brands and Top 320 All models below.