Australia November 2017: All-time high November = annual record likely

First appearance of the Holden Astra nameplate in the Top 20 in almost 9 years.

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 50 All-brands and Top 285 All-models – click on title *

New vehicle sales in Australia establish a new November record for the third consecutive year thanks to deliveries up 2.5% year-on-year to 101.365 units, the first time in Australian history that November registers a six-digit sales figure (previous record: 98.639 in 2016). Similarly, the market is on track to hit a third consecutive all-time annual record with year-to-date sales up 0.6% over the same period last year to 1.086.296 registrations. Private sales are down 3.4% year-on-year to 45.729 whereas business sales are up 5.6% to 41.350, rental sales shoot up 22.9% to 7.225 but government sales are down 4.5% to 3.432. Going from strength to strength, SUVs hold a commanding 40.2% market share in November vs. just 36.4% for passenger cars and 19.8% for light commercials (mainly pickup trucks or “utes” as they are called here).

The Toyota Hilux is the best-selling vehicle in Australia for the 7th time in 2017. 

Where is Australia sourcing its vehicles? From Japan at 29.587 sales (+8.3%), Thailand at 24.963 (+0.9%), South Korea at 15.749 (+17.9%), Germany at 8.024 (+7.4%) and home at 4.089 (-45.4%), the latter being at 100% composed of existing stock as automotive production has ended in Australia in October 2017. Looking at sales by state and territory, Western Australia is the most dynamic this month with a 13.4% gain to 8.685 sales, followed by Tasmania up 6.2% to 2.021, Queensland up 2.1% to 19.134, New South Wales up 1.4% to 33.463 and Victoria up 1.2% to 29.332. The country’s two territories are down in November: the Australian Capital Territory is down 1.2% to 1.611 units and Northern Territory is down 2.3% to just 789.

Thanks to the new T60 pickup, Chinese LDV is up 157.9% in November. 

Toyota remains the uncontested leader of Australian sales charts, even beating the market with a 3.5% year-on-year gain to 18.6% share vs. 18.4% so far this year. The Japanese carmaker crosses the 200.000 sales milestone for the 13th year in a row and is the only manufacturer to have ever managed that feat in Australia. Mazda reclaims the #2 spot it holds YTD off Hyundai despite a 5% drop while the Korean marque is up a solid 9.9% on its November 2016 score. Volkswagen (+10.3%), Mitsubishi (+13.7%), Kia (+20.5%) and most impressively Honda (+26.5%) post the only double-digit gains in the Top 10. Holden resists at +2.6%, posting its 2nd positive month in a row (and this year) despite the demise of the Commodore, now on stock and full imported from February 2018. Skoda (+20.4%) and Isuzu (+21%) also deliver solid results, while among smaller brands Haval (+34%), Porsche (+67.9%), LDV (+157.9%), Alfa Romeo (+251.5%) and Peugeot (+361.3) are the best performers. It’s a stunning month for luxury brands: Aston Martin (+37.5%), Ferrari (+69.6%), Maserati (+90.6%), McLaren (+125%), Lamborghini (+300%) and Rolls-Royce (+350%) all post spectacular gains.

The Mitsubishi ASX is up 27% to #9 in November. Picture caradvice.com.au

After being seriously shaken in October (Hyundai i30 to #1), the Australian models ranking returns to normal this month with the Top 4 best-sellers replicating the YTD order: the Toyota Hilux leads for the seventh time this year, up 7% to 4% share, ahead of the Ford Ranger (+5%), Toyota Corolla (-9%) and Mazda3 (-14%). The Mazda CX-5 is up 21% to 5th place, headed towards a fifth consecutive year as Australia’s best-selling SUV, whereas the Hyundai i30 (-12%) slumps down five spots to #6. The Hyundai Tucson (+10%), Toyota RAV4 (+22%) and Mitsubishi ASX (+27%) make it four SUVs in the Top 9. Further down, notice the Holden Colorado up 35%, VW Golf up 27% Mitsubishi Triton up 21% and Isuzu D-Max up 20%. The Holden Astra shoots up 381% year-on-year to land at #18 now that both the sedan and sportwagon variants complete the lineup, the first time the Astra nameplate appears inside the Australian Top 20 since February 2009.

Previous month: Australia October 2017: First pole position for the new gen Hyundai i30

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

Full November 2017 Top 50 All-brands and Top 285 All-models below.