Australia July 2024: Toyota RAV4 #1, hits all-time high volume in record market

The Toyota RAV4 is the best-selling vehicle in Australia in July.

8/08 update: Now with Top 314 All models ranking.

After dipping in June for the first time in 20 months, the Australian new car market is back to its record ways in July at a splendid +10.2% year-on-year to 102,181, eclipsing the previous record established just last year and making it the first time July volumes pass the 100,000 mark. The year-to-date tally is now up 8.2% to 734,593. The event of the month is the surge of HEV sales up 88.4% to a record 18,039 units and 17.6% share vs. 10% in July 2023, thanks to a big push by Toyota. Meanwhile PHEVs shoot up 128.9% to 2,209 and BEVs edge down -1.5% to 6,743 and 6.6% share vs. 7% a year ago. Petrol sinks -12.9% to 42,027 and diesel is up 5.3% to 29,263. Private sales struggle at -4.2% to 49,890, in fact the market is almost single-handedly pulled up by business fleets at +13.7% to 37,036, just as rental sales drop -17.5% to 5,044 and government sales surge 37.5% to 3,618.

At 57,955 sales, SUVs hold 56.7% of the Australian market vs. 58.9% a year ago, light commercials at 21,707 hold 21.2% vs. 19.9% and passenger cars hold 18.2% with 18,621 sales vs. 17.7% in July 2023. Five states are up this month: Western Australia is the most dynamic at +8.9% to 10,671 sales, followed by Queensland at +6.2% and 20,937, Northern Territory at +4.9% and 947 sales, South Australia up 4.7% to 6,921 and New South Wales up 2.9% to 30,361. In contrast Victoria is off -1.6% to 26,667, Australian Capital Territory down -1.4% to 1,418 and Tasmania freefalls -12% to 1,564. As for country of provenance, Japan (+16.9%) leads the way at 33,587 sales, ahead of Thailand (+9.2%) at 21,943, China (-5.3%) at 15,019, South Korea (-2.6%) at 13,116 and Germany (+1.6%) at 4,871.

Over in the brands ranking, Toyota (+18.3%) improves its share to 22.2%, its highest in two years: since July 2022 (23.2%). Mazda (+2%) is back to #2 for the first time since last February, passing Ford (+9%). Kia (+7.6%) stays in 4th place above Hyundai (-7.7%) while Mitsubishi (+38%) lodges the largest year-on-year gain in the Top 10 at #6. MG (-23.3%) suffers year-on-year but climbs back up to #7 vs. #11 last month. GMW (+29.4%) is also back inside the Top 10 at #10 while Subaru (+14.4%) is solid at #9. Further down, notice Nissan (+37.6%), BYD (+77.7%) equalling its ranking and share records at #16 and 1.7% also reached in May, Land Rover (+40.4%), Chery (+31.6%) and Honda (+23.9%).

Model-wise, the Toyota RAV4 (+115.7%) benefits fully from months and years-old orders of its HEV variant finally being available and registered to snap the pole position for the fourth time ever after July 2020, August 2020 and April 2023. The RAV4 breaks its monthly volume record at 5,933 vs. 5,857 in April. The Ford Ranger (-4.4%) is relegated to 2nd place with the Toyota Hilux (+1.6%) down to #3. The Ranger however easily holds onto the YTD top spot with a comfortable 5,184 sale-advantage over the Hilux. The Ranger also leads the 4×4 ute order with 4,610 sales vs. 4,125 for the Hilux. The Toyota Corolla (+25.3%) is up to a surprise 4th place, the nameplate’s highest since November 2022. The Isuzu D-Max (+14.4%) rounds out the Top 5 above the Ford Everest (+67.9%) shooting up to a splendid 6th place. The Toyota Kluger (+29.9%) is up 29 spots on June to #10, the nameplate’s first Top 10 finish since July 2022. The Mazda CX-5 (+25.7%) and Mitsubishi Outlander (+18.7%) also shine. 

Previous month: Australia June 2024: First market drop in 20 months, Mitsubishi (+48.9%) places Outlander at #4

One year ago: Australia July 2023: Ford Ranger back on top, MG ZS #1 SUV YTD in record market

Full July 2024 Top 49 All brands and Top 314 All models below.