Australia November 2016: Hilux vs. Ranger the new iconic battle

The Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger are the two Australian best-sellers again in November.

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 15 best-selling brands and Top 285 All-models – see title *

The October 2016 post has now been updated with the Top 50 All-brands and Top 285 All-models.

Despite a stable score in November – up 0.3% year-on-year to 98.937 registrations, the Australian new car market is headed towards a second consecutive annual record at 1.079.370 units year-to-date, up 2% on the same period in 2015. SUVs, accounting for 38% of the market, and light commercials (19%) are once again the engines of growth in Australia just as the passenger car segment continues to falter at just 40% share in a market biased by business purchases. Private sales fall flat once again at -5% to 47.335 while business sales are up 8% to 39.172. Government purchases (down 3% to 3.593) and rental sales (down 2.5% to 5.880) struggle also. In the segment detail, the most popular are small cars (17.4% share), medium SUVs (16.2%), 4×4 utes/pickups (12.9%) and large SUVs (11.7%).

In one month, the Toyota Hilux could become the first ever ute to top annual Australian sales. 

The most dynamic states are Northern Territory (up 10% to 808 sales), Tasmania (up 7% to 1.903), Victoria (up 6% to 28.991), Australian Capital Territory (up 5% to 1.631) and South Australia (up 4% to 6.259). Declining states are New South Wales (down 0.7% to 32.995), Queensland (down 3% to 18.733) and Western Australia (down 12% to 7.657) more and more affected by the mining slump. Where do cars sold in Australia come from? Primarily Japan (27.307 units), Thailand (24.738), South Korea (13.352), home-made (7.486), Germany (7.469), the U.S.A. (4.029) and the UK (2.440).

The Ford Ranger had never ranked #2 in Australia before last month. It’s now twice in a row. 

Brand-wise, Toyota remains and by far master in command despite sales skidding down 1% to 18.162 units, that’s still more than its next two followers combined. Mazda is stable (+0.2%) in 2nd place, but this hides an Australian first for the Japanese carmaker: for the first time in its history, every Mazda SUV and passenger car ranks first, second or third in their respective segments in November. The CX-9 notably, is a smashing success, outselling both the Toyota Kluger and Holden Captiva this month. Mazda is the 2nd best-selling SUV brand in November with its three nameplates selling 4.280 units vs. 4.976 for Toyota that has twice as many models in this segment.

The new generation Mazda CX-9 is an instant blockbuster in Australia.

Hyundai is down 5% to 8.1% share but remains solidly anchored to the YTD third place, on its way to post its first ever annual podium finish in Australia. Holden freefalls 13% to just 7.8% and Ford is up 8% to 6.9% share in fifth place just as the Falcon ends 56 years of Australian production. Mitsubishi (+14%), Volkswagen (+10%), Mercedes (+18%), Kia (+19%) and Honda (+14%) post the largest sales gains in the Top 15. Among smaller brands, Jaguar (+26%), LDV (+30%) and Ferrari (+229%) impress, whereas Jeep (-13%), Alfa Romeo (-55%), Peugeot (-56%) and Ssangyong (-70%) suffer. Newcomers Haval (47 units) and Ram (16) remain very discreet while comeback kid Great Wall sells 45 units of its Steed in November.

The Ford Falcon (1960-2016)

In a telling sign of changing Australian tastes, two utes (Australian slang for pick-up trucks) dominate the overall sales charts in November, for the second consecutive month and ever. The Toyota Hilux wins again at 3.839 units vs. 3.410 for the Ford Ranger. This month, the Hilux dominates both 4×2 Ute sales at 934 vs. 590 for the Ranger and 4×4 Utes at 2.905 vs. 2.820, but the Ranger is ahead year-to-date as far as 4×4 Utes are concerned with 28.009 vs. 27.851 for the Hilux. In the overall YTD charts, the Toyota Hilux remains in the pole position with 38.018 units sold so far in 2016 and is on track to become the first ute to ever top the Australian annual sales charts. For perspective, this means the Hilux on its own is currently selling similar numbers as brands such as Kia, Mercedes and Honda… The fact that the majority of Hilux and Ranger are sold as 4×4 dual cabs with an average transaction price of above $50,000 gives an idea of how popular these two vehicles are in Australia.

Previous month: Australia October 2016: Two pickups (utes) on top for the first time

One year ago: Australia November 2015: Nissan shines in strongest November ever

Full November 2016 Top 15 brands and Top 285 models ranking tables below.