Australia September 2022: Chinese shipments propel Tesla Model Y to #3, GWM Haval #11, market up 12.3%

The Tesla Model Y is the third best-selling vehicle in Australia in September.

07/10 update: Now with Top 270 all-models.

The Australian new vehicle market confirms it is on the mend with a 12.3% year-on-year gain in September to 93,555 units. This is the best September result since 2018. The year-to-date tally is now virtually stable at -0.6% and 811,130 registrations. These are particularly strong results given the stock shortage issues are still far from being resolved and most models have a 3 months to 2 years (!) wait time. Passenger Cars skid -5.6% to 17,490 units and 18.7% market share vs. 22.2% a year ago and 25.7% in September 2020. Light Commercials lift 11.1% to 22,252 and 23.8% share vs. 24% in 2021 and 22.9% in 2020 and SUVs soar 21.6% to 49,643 units and 53.1% share vs. 49% a year ago and 47.3% in 2021. Looking at country of origin, we have a big change this month. Below Japan at 23,880 (-17.3%) and Thailand at 20,363 (+20.3%), China advances to #3 for the first time with 14,889 units (+127%) thanks to Tesla shipments as we’ll see further down. South Korea follows at 14,443 (+33.3%) ahead of the U.S. at 4,116.

Petrol sales account for 50.9% of all light vehicles sold in Australia this month with 47,620 units while diesel holds 31.4% at 29,377. EVs break an all-time record at 7.7% and 7,247 sales. Hybrid (4,616) and PHEV (525) follow. Sales to private buyers gain 23.7% to 50,889 units, a good indication of the health of the market but also the sign carmakers are prioritising this more profitable channel. Business fleets are up 4.3% to 31,027, rental sales drop -9.7% to 5,304 and government sales flounder -17.7% to 2,165. As for sales by state and territory, the two biggest states pull the market up with New South Wales up 20.8% to 28,945 and Victoria up 2.9% to 25,367. Queensland is also up but vastly trails the market at +2.9% to 20,634, with the Australian Capital Territory up a spectacular 67.7% to a limited 1,498 sales. Strikingly, all other states are in negative: Northern Territory (-9.8% to 832) is the hardest hit followed by Western Australia (-6% to 8,644), South Australia (-2.2% to 6,005) and Tasmania (-0.9% to 1,630).

The H6 helps GWM Haval break all its records this month.

Toyota posts an uncharacteristically low month with sales down a damning -26.5% year-on-yar to just 15.9% share, its lowest in 5.5 yeats: since January 2017 (14.8%). It still sells more than the #2 and #3 carmakers combines and holds a commanding 21.7% share year-to-date. Kia (+41.4%) enjoys a very strong month and climbs to a record #2 overall, also hit last June. Mazda (+10.7%) drops to #3 and can’t match the overall sales growth. Mitsubishi (+47.3%), Ford (+15.2%) and Hyundai (+19.1%) all outpace the market. Tesla is up to a record 6.4% share with just under 6,000 sales, with the rest of the Top 10 posting lukewarm results: MG (+8.3%), Subaru (+3.4%) and Volkswagen (-2.5%) all disappoint. Just outside the Top 10, GWM Haval (+69.4%) breaks records for the 2nd month in a row and climbs to #11 with just above 3,000 sales and 3.3% share, all highest ever marks. Genesis (+137.5%), Ram (+101.7%), Ssangyong (+70.9%), Volvo (+62.8%), BMW (+38.7%) and Honda (+35.9%) impress below. Newcomers Cupra (#31) and Polestar (#34) are both up on their August ranking.

Over in the models ranking, the Toyota Hilux (+42.2%) escapes the brand’s gloom and manages to stay above the Ford Ranger (+16.7%) that now has its new generation in full swing. Note the Ranger outsells the Hilux in the lucrative 4×4 ute segment with 4,381 sales vs. 3,544. Launched last month, the Tesla Model Y is up 20 spots to land at a historical third place, the highest ever rank reached by an EV in Australia. Keep in mind we are looking at a quarter worth of sales concentrated over a month as is always the case with Tesla figures. The Mazda CX-5 (+72.4%) and Mitsubishi Triton (+310.4%) round out the Top 5 in spectacular fashion, while the Kia Sportage (+217.5%) and Mitsubishi Outlander (+80.2%) shine in the remainder of the Top 10. There is only one passenger car in the Top 10 (vs. 5 SUVs and 4 utes): the Hyundai i30 (-14.8%) at #10. The Toyota Corolla (-55.4%) is knocked down to #14. Also benefiting from China shipments, the Tesla Model 3 ranks #12 for the month. Justifying the brand’s stellar month, the GWM Haval H6 breaks into the Australian Top 20 for the first time at #17 and scores highest ever volumes and share at just under 1,300 sales and 1.4% of the market.

Previous month: Australia August 2022: Market up 17.3% to best August in 5 years, Tesla Model 3 #4, GWM breaks records

One year ago: Australia September 2021: Market up 20.8%, Ford Ranger leads, Mazda BT-50 in Top 10

Full September 2022 Top 50 all-brands and Top 270 all-models below.