Australia May 2023: Record market, Toyota Hilux reclaims control

The Toyota Hilux is the best-selling vehicle in Australia in May.

7/05 update: Now with Top 300 All models ranking.

The Australian new car market is up 12% year-on-year in May to 105,694 units, a new record for the month eclipsing the 102,901 sales reached in May 2017. As a result, the YTD tally is now up 4.3% to 456,833, the best result at this stage of the year since a record 2018 (475,222). However this enthusiasm is dampened by the fact these registrations correspond to orders made in 2022 and traffic in dealership has slowed dramatically in the wake of higher interest rates. Looking at buyer type, private sales are up 7.4% to 54,694, business fleets gain 19.7% to 37,515, rentals edge up 5.7% to 5,771 and government fleets surge 18.1% to 2,975. A market mix trending towards more “artificial” channels which is not a good sign for the health of the industry.

All states and territories are up year-on-year, with Western Australia (up 25.1% to 11,703) and Queensland (up 17.4% to 22,306) the most dynamic. They are followed by Victoria (up 15.9% to 29,154), Australian Capital Territory (up 10.7% to 1,513), Northern Territory (+9.9% to 1,095), with two states a lot shyer: Tasmania up 2.8% to 1,697 and New South Wales up 2.4% to 31,589. SUVs soar 14.7% to 59,011 and 55.8% share vs. 54.5% in 2022 and 53.2% in 2021. Light Commercials improve 10.7% to 23,824 and 22.5% share vs.22.8% last year and 23% two years ago and Passenger Cars are up for once at +5% to 18,120 and 17.1% vs. 18.3% in 2022 and 20.1% in 2021. Japan remains the prevalent provenance of cars sold in Australia with 28,350 units (+8.1%) followed by Thailand at 20,634 (-0.5%), China up 118.8% to 17,958, South Korea at 15,196 (+0.6%) and Germany at 4,942 (+36.2%).

In the brands ranking, Toyota (-19.6%) continues to suffer from stock shortages but its market share for the month (17.4%) is well above its YTD level of 15.6%. In contrast Mazda (+30.9%) surges ahead, followed by Hyundai (+0.2%) outselling its sister brand Kia (-4.2%) for the first time since last July. Ford (+19.5%) and MG (+18.8%) follow, both in excellent shape whereas Mitsubishi (-24.7%) dives. Tesla (+37200!) abandons its backloaded quarter sales as it has done in all markets worldwide and ranks an an outstanding 8th place above Volkswagen (+77.8%) and Subaru (-1.7%). Outside the Top 10, notice GWM (+72.6%), LDV (+53.1%), Lexus (+163.8%), Audi (+72.5%), Land Rover (+169.2%) and Ram (+50.2%) all posting fantastic gains.

Model-wise, the Toyota Hilux (+11.5%) reclaims the top spot for the second time this year after March, with the Ford Ranger (+9.6%) down to 2nd place. The Hilux’s advantage over the Ranger this month is enough to see it climb to #1 year-to-date as well. The Tesla Model Y is up one spot on April to break into the podium at #3 for the second time after last September. As a result, the Toyota RAV4 (-33.4%), still penalised by stock issues, is relegated to #4. The MG ZS (+42.3%) delivers its first Top 10 finish of the year and ranks #6 so far in 2023 vs. #8 over the Full Year 2022. The Isuzu D-Max (-2.5%), Hyundai i30 (+6.7%) and Hyundai Tucson (+11.7%) follow. Below, the Mazda BT-50 (+94.6%) remains in 11th position while the BYD Atto 3 is up to a record #13.

Previous month: Australia April 2023: Ford Ranger reclaims lead, Tesla, Nissan, VW impress

One year ago: Australia May 2022: Kia breaks ranking and share records at #2 and 7.7%, market off -6.4%

Full May 2023 Top 48 All brands and Top 300 All models below.