Australia February 2024: Another record result, Nissan at highest in 11 years

The Nissan X-Trail manages its best ranking since September 2018.

14/03 update: Now with Top 304 All models ranking.

It’s yet another record for new vehicle sales in Australia with sales up a whopping 20.9% year-on-year in February to 105,023. It smashes the previous February record of 96,443 established back in 2016. Part of the explanation for this fantastic result is the fact that year-ago sales were hampered by quarantine bottlenecks, as 60,000 vehicles needed to be treated by biosecurity for seeds and pests. Year-to-date sales are up 13.4% to 194,805. Private sales are up 22.7% to 55,729, business sales up 21.1% to 37,103, sales to rental companies are up 9.3% to 5,104 and government sales up 37% to 3,212. Petrol registrations are up 4.5% to 46,533, diesel is up 21.1% to 32,022, HEVs up 100.2% to 11,447, BEVs up 70.4% to 10,111 and PHEV up 127.8% to 1,034.

All regions are in positive, with New South Wales is up 15.7% to 31,943 sales, Victoria up 29.8% to 28,415, Queensland up 21.9% to 22,466, Western Australia up 15.3% to 11,317, South Australia up 16.3% to 6,451, Tasmania up 28.5% to 1,817, Australian Capital Territory up 19.9% to 1,743 and Northern Territory up 20.1% to 871. SUVs are up 20.6% to 57,773 and 55% share vs. 55.1% a year ago, light commercials gain 26.3% to 23,675 and 22.6% share vs. 21.6% in February 2023, even passenger cars are up significantly at +19.3% to 19,610 and 18.7% share vs. 18.9% last year while heavy commercials hold 3.7% share at 3,875 sales. As for sales by country of origin, Japan is up 30.9% to 32,476, Thailand up 24.8% to 23,160, China up 31.7% to 17,943, South Korea up 1.5% to 12,424 and Germany up 33.8% to 3,980.

Toyota (+35.2%) compensates for a drab year-ago result and holds 18.4% of the market. Mazda (-4.1%) is in difficulty but holds onto the 2nd spot for just 75 sales above Ford (+20.8%). Nissan (+157.2%) surges eight spots on January to land in 4th place with 6.3% share. This is the brand’s highest monthly ranking since the #3 it hit in March 2013 and its best market share since November 2016 (6.4%). Mitsubishi (+16.6%) and Kia (+2.4%) repeat their January positions at #5 and #6 while Hyundai (+3.6%) is down three ranks to #7. It’s a great month also for Tesla (+61.1%) up 11 spots to #8 and Isuzu Ute (+48.7%) at #9. MG (+2.5%) has a rare underperforming month and falls from #7 in January to #10. GWM (+47%), Suzuki (+26%), BMW (+63.3%), Honda (+39.2%) and BYD (+101.2%) also have strong months. 

Model-wise, the Ford Ranger (+19.7%) manages a 5th consecutive month in the lead, cementing its domination of the Australian market. The Toyota Hilux (+11.8%) follows but vastly trails the market. Notably the Hilux normally holds to top spot in the 4×2 pickup ranking but is this month outsold by both the Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max. The Tesla Model 3 (+34.5%) rallies back up 36 spots on last month to #3 and now ranks #6 year-to-date. The Isuzu D-Max (+52.3%) follows with another splendid result. The Toyota RAV4 (+34.4%) holds onto the #1 SUV position. It is followed this month by a resurgent Nissan X-Trail (+283.5%), up 24 ranks on January to #6, the nameplate’s highest ranking since also hitting #6 in September 2018. The Toyota Corolla (+105.5%) and Tesla Model Y (+145.2%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10.

Previous month: Australia January 2024: Record market, Ford Ranger #1, Toyota, Isuzu Ute shine

One year ago: Australia February 2023: Market up 1.8% despite quarantine bottleneck, Ford Ranger threepeats at #1

Full February 2024 Top 49 All brands and Top 304 All models below.