Australian Full Year 2018: Exclusive State by State rankings available

The Toyota Hilux tops 6 out of 8 Australian States in 2018, a record.

For the 8th year on BSCB we can share with you the best-selling brands (Top 15) and models (Top 50) in each Australian State/Territory. This is exclusive data you won’t find anywhere else on the web. Uncontested leader nationwide, Toyota also tops each and every State and Territory but its market share varies wildly, from just 13.3% in ACT to a whopping 41.9 in Northern Territory. Mazda ranks #2 four times, Mitsubishi three times and Hyundai once while Ford manages just one podium finish. No other carmaker manages to rank within the Top 3 of any State/Territory. Model-wise, just as it’s breaking volume and share records nationwide, the Toyota Hilux continues to spread its domination across the country: from 3 State wins each year rom 2008 to 2016 to 5 in 2017 and 6 in 2018, and thanks to a third place in ACT and 2nd place in Victoria, it now ranks on the podium of every State and Territory for the first time… Only the Ford Ranger (Victoria) and Mazda3 (ACT) also snap a State win this year. Discover all the details by State below.

Kia achieves its highest share in New South Wales at 5.8%.

New South Wales (Sydney)

At 370.967 registrations, New South Wales remains the biggest State in Australia but it also posts the largest drop at -6.6% equivalent to 26.000 less sales vs. 2017. In turn, this means that removing New South Wales would have Australia only drop 1.2% vs. 3% including it. Toyota (-3.6%) improves its share to 18.4% with Mazda (-9.5%) and Hyundai (-2.8%) in tow while Mitsubishi (+2.6%), Volkswagen (-3.7%) and Kia (+2.4%) all overtake Ford (-16.9%) to step up two spots to rank #4 to #6, Kia delivering ist highest share of any State at 5.8%. Honda (+7.1%) breaks into the Top 10, dislodging Holden (-35.8%) down from #4 to #11, making NSW one of only two states with ACT to not allow Holden in its Top 10 this year. Model-wise, teh Toyota Hilux (+1.5%) holds onto the #1 spot while the Ford Ranger (-5.6%) overtakes the Toyota Corolla (-8.4%) by just 34 sales to make it to #2. The Mazda3 (-10.6%), Hyundai i30 (-0.8%) and VW Golf (+1% at a splendid #6) follow just as the Toyota RAV4 (+3.9%) and Kia Cerato (-3.9%) break into the Top 10.

The Ford Ranger secures its only State win in Victoria.

The Nissan X-Trail scores its highest ranking in Victoria at #4.

Victoria (Melbourne)

At -1.8%, new vehicle sales in Victoria hold up very well given their volume (333.392). Toyota (-3.4%) falls faster than the market to a meagre 15.1% share, its second lowest anywhere in Australia. Mazda (-0.9%) resists better at 9.7% while Ford (-4.8%) and Hyundai (-4.9%) both leapfrog past Holden (-28.2%) to rank #3 and #4 respectively. Demonstrating the keenness of Victorians for brands perceived as Australian, Ford reaches its highest share (7.5%) and only podium finish in the country while Holden is also at a State-high share (6.8%) and scores one  of only two Top 5 finishes alongside South Australia. Just below we have a string of great performing brands: Nissan (+10.5%), Mitsubishi (+6.2%), Kia (+5.9%) and Honda (+12.1%). Mercedes (-3.2%) scores its only Top 10 finish in the country at #10 while BMW (#13) hits its best ranking, also reached in ACT. The Ford Ranger (+5.9%) snaps its only State win in Victoria, a safe 3.400 sales above the Toyota Hilux (+10.6%) eclipsing the Mazda 3 (-1.5%) for #2. But the best performer in Victoria is without a doubt the Nissan X-Trail (+26.6%) up 6 spots to #4, the only state where it manages to break into the Top 10, pipping the Mazda CX-5 (+3.6%) for the title of best-selling SUV in the State. The Kia Cerato (-1.3%) is up 5 spots to hit a State-best #8, also reached in ACT. The Honda CR-V (+86%), Toyota Kluger (+22.3%) and Mitsubishi Triton (+13.3%) also impress near the top.

Queensland is the kingdom of pickups: 7 of them, including the Isuzu D-Max pictured, reach their highest ranking in the country right here.

Queensland (Brisbane)

Queensland sales (-0.7%) are almost immobile at 231.541, a respectable performance in a negative national context. It’s a strong State for Toyota (+4.9%) improving its share to 21.4% which is one of 4 States where it is above the symbolic 20%. Mazda (-1.2%) is stable at 10.2% followed by Hyundai (+0.9%) and Mitsubishi (+1.5%) like in 2017. Honda (+13.5%) and Kia (+12.3%) shine but Holden (-32%) and Ford (-13.9%) struggle in the remainder of the Top 10 while just outside, Isuzu Ute (+11%) reaches its highest share of any State at 3.6%. Queensland is the kingdom of pickup trucks: the Toyota Hilux (+10.1%) is the best-selling vehicle outright for the 12th consecutive year, achieving a strong 5.8% market share and distancing the Ford Ranger (-2.8%) while the Mitsubishi Triton (+8.7%) at #4, the Isuzu D-Max (+10.3%) at #7, Nissan Navara (-0.6%) at #10, Holden Colorado (-16.7%) at #12 and Mazda BT-50 (-3.4%) at #16 all reach their highest ranking of any State here. Amazingly, the Toyota Prado (+20.5%) edges past the Mazda CX-5 (+2.6%) to become Queensland’s best-selling SUV at #8 overall.

Hyundai ranks #2 in Western Australia and the i30 at #4, their highest position anywhere in the country.

Western Australia (Perth)

Although Western Australian sales endure a 5th consecutive year-on-year drop, it is contained to -0.6% this year at 97.174 units. Toyota (+9.9%) has an excellent year, improving its share to 24.8% which is its 2nd highest of any State. Hyundai (-11.3%) suffers but remains at #2, its highest ranking anywhere in Australia however not its highest share at 9.1%. Mitsubishi (+2.3%) holds strong at #3, keeping Mazda (-4.4%) out of the podium. Kia (+28.4%) and Isuzu Ute (+25.8%) are the most impressive gainers in the Top 15 whereas Holden (-36.9%) and to a much lesser extent Ford (-10.9%) sink. In the same manner as Queensland, Western Australia’s rugged terrain favours four-wheel-drives and it’s no surprise that the Toyota Hilux (+31.4%) is #1 here for the 11th straight year, even posting its largest year-on-year gain in any State. The Ford Ranger (-4.3%), Toyota Corolla (-6.7%) and Hyundai i30 (-4.9%) – hitting its highest ranking in the country at #4 – follow like in 2017 just as the Toyota Prado (+14.7%) breaks into the Top 5, dislodging the Hyundai Tucson (-23.7%) down to #16 and resuming its reign as the State’s #1 SUV above the Mazda CX-5 (-1.2%). The Toyota Land Cruiser (+10.9%) up 7 spots to #8, Isuzu D-Max (+23.6%), up 9 spots to #9 and Toyota Land Cruiser Pickup (+18.4%) up 6 to #14 all post fantastic performances in Western Australia this year.

Holden ranks #5 in South Australia even though the Commodore is down from #3 to #30.

South Australia (Adelaide)

It’s a relatively solid year for the South Australian new vehicle market, down a measured 1.9% to 71.027 units. Toyota (+1.1%) goes against the grain with an uptick to improve its share to 20.6% while a past history of manufacturing in the State (1980-2008) helps Mitsubishi (+25.1%) back up to #2 with a whopping 12.6% share, its 2nd highest in the country. Similarly, even though it freefalls 40.5% year-on-year, Holden – which manufactured here from 1856 to 2017 – manages one of only two Top 5 finishes here in South Australia (the other one being Victoria). Mazda (-2.3%) is also strong here, lodging its 2nd highest share at 11.4%, but Hyundai (-4.4%) is particularly weak at 6.4%. Great Top 15 performers include Kia (+18.4%), BMW (+7.7%) , Isuzu Ute (+6.6%) and Suzuki (+6.1%). We have a repeat win for the Toyota Hilux (+8.9%) ahead of the Ford Ranger (-6.5%) while the Mazda3 (-8.5%), leader in 2016, climbs back up on the podium, taking advantage of the freefalling of the Holden Commodore (-70.9%) from #3 to #30. The Mitsubishi Triton (+3.8%) breaks into the Top 5 above the Mazda CX-5 (+10.8%) remains the best-selling SUV in the State but the Mitsubishi Outlander (+13.5%) is getting closer, hitting a State-high #7. It’s also a State-high for the Toyota Camry (-24.7%) at 8, the Mitsubishi Lancer (+179.9%) at #11 and the Mazda CX-3 (-4.9%) at #12.

The Mitsubishi ASX holds a record-high 2nd place in Tasmania.

Tasmania (Hobart)

Tasmania is the only Australian State to post a year-on-year gain in 2018 at +3.3% to 20.566 registrations. Given the small volumes, we now start to have a lot more volatile rankings. Despite a sturdy gain, Toyota (+9.1%) remains below its average share at 17.5% but Mitsubishi (+16.3%) hits a State-best at 12.9% in 2nd place while Hyundai (+27.7%) leaps even further up at #3, knocking down Mazda (-4.9%) and Subaru (-6%) which still posts its only Top 5 finish in the country. Ford (-7.7%) and Volkswagen (+4.3%) leapfrog past Holden (-25.3%), with Honda (+17.3%) and Isuzu (+9.9%) also impressive just as Renault (-15.4%) delivers its unique Top 15 finish here. The Toyota Hilux (+25.5%) bounces up two spots to end three years of reign by the Ford Ranger (+3%) down to #3 this year. The Mitsubishi ASX (+16.1%) confirms it is at its ranking best in Tasmania at a splendid #2. It’s not the only one: the Mitsubishi Triton (#4), Isuzu D-Max (#7), Mitsubishi Outlander (#8), Hyundai Accent (#9), Subaru XV (#11), Subaru Forester (#12) and VW Amarok (#16) all hit their highest ranking of any State this year here in Tasmania.

The Mazda3 has been holding onto its ACT pole position for dear life for the past 7 years.

Australian Capital Territory (Canberra)

Second consecutive year of decline for the ACT at -1.9% to 18.191 units. This is where Toyota (-2.9%) is at its weakest: only 13.3% share vs. 18.8% nationally, and a mere 300 units above the #2 Mazda (-3.5%) which is at opposite ends of the spectrum as it reaches its highest share of any State here at 11.6%, albeit down from 11.8% in 2017. Same story for Hyundai (+10.2%), up 1.5 percentage point on its national level to a State-high 9.7% but it’s Volkswagen (-0.3%) that once again frankly overperform at a State-high #4 and 8.5% share vs. #9 and 4.9% nationally. Honda (+9.2%) lodges its only Top 5 finish in the country and highest share at #5 and 6.9% while Subaru (+1.4%) hits its 2nd highest ranking at #6, Kia (+15%) is the largest gainer in the Top 15, Mercedes (+2.7%) is strong at #12 and BMW (+2.2%) hits its highest ranking at #13, also reached in Victoria. The ACT models ranking is atypical and reflects the fact that ACT is basically just one city: it is the last ramparts of the Mazda3 (-6.6%), best-seller here for at least the 8th consecutive year but now its only win in the country since 2017. At #2,  the VW Golf (+5.5%) reaches a State-high ranking by far, as is also the case for the Kia Cerato (+17%) at #8 also reached in Victoria, the Honda CR-V (+64%) at #9, VW Tiguan (+15.6%) at #12, Honda Civic (-15.2%) at #13, Honda HR-V (+20.4%) at #15, Subaru Outback (-7%) at #18, Hyundai Kona (+296.7%) at #20 and Mazda2 (-14.2%) at #21. Reversely, the Toyota Hilux (#3) and Ford Ranger (#5) reach their lowest ranking in the country here in ACT.

It’s Toyota country: the Prado is #3 in the Northern Territory.

Northern Territory (Darwin)

At polar opposite of the ACT, the Northern Territory, home of Uluru, is Australian nature at its purest. Larger than France, Germany and Spain put together, it is populated by just 243.700 inhabitants, 60% of them in its capital, Darwin. The smallest market in Australia, Northern Territory sales take a hit in 2018 at -4.7% to 10.253. This is Toyota country: the Japanese carmaker (-1.7%) holds an overwhelming 41.% of the NT market, even improving on the 40.6% it held in 2016. That’s more than double its 18.8% national average and almost four times the amount of the #2 brand, Mitsubishi (+2.2%), itself particularly strong at 11.1% share. Mazda (-7.9%) is at its weakest anywhere in the country at 6.1% share yet still manages a podium finish above Kia (+28.8%) reaching its highest ranking of any State at #4, outpacing Hyundai (-11.1%) at its lowest share (5.1%), Ford (-18.3) and Holden (-42.3%). Isuzu (+17.4%) scores its only Top 10 finish and Chinese LDV (+148.1%) delivers its first ever Top 15 ranking in any Australian State and Territory.

The Toyota Land Cruiser Pickup is up 6.3% to #7 in NT.

As is to be expected, the NT models ranking is annihilated by Toyota: below the Hilux (+6%) monopolising a record 12.1% share, no less than 5 Toyota nameplates reach their highest ranking of any State or Territory here in the NT: the RAV4 (+11%) at #2 for it only Top 5 finish in the country, the Prado (+9.1%) at #3, the Land Cruiser (-10.2%) at #6, the Land Cruiser Pickup (+6.3%) at #7 for its only Top 10 finish, the Kluger (+37.6%) at #13, the Yaris (-27%) at #14 and the C-HR (+98.4%) at #22. As a result the Toyota Corolla (-0.4%) is displaced from #2 to #4. A victim of Toyota’s success, the Ford Ranger is at a lowest #5, the only time alongside ACT it doesn’t rank on the podium but still the best-selling non-Toyota nameplate here. Finally, notice also the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (+14%) reaching its highest ranking in the country at #12 thanks mainly to rentals.

Australia post: Australia Full Year 2018: Toyota Hilux 3peats and breaks records, SUVs up 6.4% and cars down 15.9% in market down 3%

Previous year:  Australia Full Year 2016: Exclusive State by State rankings

Two years ago: Australia Full year 2017: Exclusive State by State rankings

Full Year 2018 Top 15 brands and Top 50 models in each Australian state vs. Full 2017 figures below.