Australia July 2022: Hyundai (+34.2%), Kia (+29%), Hilux (+39.7%) impress in market up 0.4%

The Toyota Hilux repeats at its highest market share ever in July. Picture whichcar.com.au

04/08 update: Now with Top 293 All-models ranking.

VFACTS data shows an Australian new vehicle market edging up 0.4% year-on-year to 84,461 units, exactly 300 sales above the June 2022 figure. This is the biggest July result since 2018 and marks an end to 3 consecutive months of year-on-year losses. It brings the year-to-date tally down -4.5% to 622,319 sales. The stock shortage context remains, now with the added pressure of rising interest rates by the Reserve Bank from 0.1% in April to 1.85% in August. Private sales gain 1.8% year-on-year to 44,539 units, business fleets are down -5.6% to 28,464, rental sales shoot up 28.5% to 5,734 and government sales down -8.9% to 2,054. Only two out of 8 States and Territory are in positive this month: New South Wales is up 10.9% to 26,519 and South Australia up 13.3% to 5,649. Queensland is down -1.1% to 18,900, Victoria is off -5.8% to 22,076, Western Australia down -9% to 8,059, Tasmania down -13.2% to 1,327, Australian Capital Territory down -16.4% to 1,175 and Northern Territory down -16.6% to 756.

SUV sales are up 6.4% to 44,704 units and 52.9% share vs. 49.9% a year ago and 50.4% in July 2020. Light commercials (including “utes”, Australian slang for pickups) drop -4.4% to 20,064 and 23.8% share vs. 24.9% last year and 20.5% two years ago. Passenger cars skid -9.1% to 16,023 and 19% share vs. 20.9% a year ago and 25% in July 2020. Petrol sales are down -4.2% to 44,039, diesel is up 0.5% to 28,735, HEV is up 31.6% to 6,779, BEV up 18.3% to 609 and PHEV up 77.8% to 578. Looking at sales by country of origin, Japan is down 3.7% to 25,812 sales, Thailand is down -1.3% to 18,788, South Korea shoots up 34.3% to 14,142, China has hit a plateau at +1.5% to 6,889 and the U.S. soars 31.6% to 4,165.

First Top 10 finish for the Toyota Kluger. Picture carsales.com.au

In the brands ranking, Toyota (+10.9%) posts a very solid uptick to remain by far the most popular brand in the country with 23.2% share, almost equivalent to the next three brands combined. Mazda (-11.7%) returns to its traditional 2nd place after two months away from the podium while Hyundai (+34.2%) and Kia (+29%) show impressive growth below. Mitsubishi (+5.8%) is also up at #5 but Ford (-20.3%) struggles at #6. MG (-8.9%) endures its first year-on-year decline since February 2018 but remains at a record 7th place for the 9th month in a row. Subaru (+18.8%) is the only additional Top 10 gainer whereas Isuzu Ute (-19.2%) and Mercedes (-1.7%) are both down. Outside the Top 10, GWM Haval (+5.8%) hits new ranking (#12) and share (2.5%) records with Ssangyong (+33.8%), Ram (+31.1%), Porsche (+23.8%), Peugeot (+19.3%), Suzuki (+17.3%) and Honda (+12.9%) in solid shape. We welcome Cupra at #35.

Model-wise, the Toyota Hilux (+39.7%) shoots up to repeat at its record market share at 7.6%. As a reminder, these are the highest market shares hit by any model in Australia in 17 years, since the Holden Commodore reached 8% back in May 2005. The Hilux sells double any other nameplate in the market and also dominates the lucrative 4×4 ute charts with 4,841 sales vs. 2,693 for the Ford Ranger. A Ranger (-27.8%) penalised by the changeover between the old and new generations but back to 2nd place above the Toyota RAV4 (+3.9%) up two spots on June to reclaim SUV lead. The Mazda CX-5 (-1.8%) rallies back up 21 ranks on last month to #4 overall and #2 SUV ahead of the Hyundai Tucson (+72.8%) up spectacularly year-on-year but down three spots on June to #5. It now ranks #13 year-to-date. The Toyota Corolla (-21.8%) suffers and is the only Passenger Car left in the Top 10. Below a very solid Mitsubishi Triton (+18.9%), the Kia Sportage (+201.6%) is up 3-fold at #9 thanks to the new model and the Toyota Kluger (+63.8%) breaks into the Top 10 for the first time in the nameplate’s history at #10. The Nissan X-Trail (+195.1%), Toyota Land Cruiser (+117.7%) and Kia Carnival (+128.9%) also shine further down.

Previous month: Australia June 2022: Kia breaks records again, Toyota Hilux and Hyundai Tucson at highest ever

One year ago: Australia July 2021: MG ZS breaks into Top 10 in market up 16.1%, NSW down just -1.7% despite lockdown

Full July 2022 Top 48 All-brands and Top 293 All-models below.