Australia October 2025: China-made (+32.5%) pull market up 0.7%, Hyundai Kona at highest ever

The Hyundai Kona cracks the Australian Top 5 for the first time.

12/11 update: Now with Top 339 All models ranking.

100,658 new cars found an Australian buyer in October, a small 0.7% year-on-year increase but the 2nd largest October volume in history below the 106,809 of October 2023. The year-to-date tally is up 0.4% to 1,039,618, a new record at this stage of the year and only the 2nd time it passes the 1 million sales mark after 10 months. Private sales drop -2.2% to 48,365 whereas business sales are up 2.1% to 38,044, sales to rental companies gain 4.2% to 6,381 and government fleets drop -16.6% to 2,866. SUV sales grow 8.8% to 62,292 and 61.9% share vs. 57.3% a year ago and 55.5% in October 2023. LKught commercials edge down -0.5% to 22,053 and 21.9% share vs. 22.2% last year and 24% two years ago and passenger cars implode -22.9% to just 12,371 and 12.3% share vs. 16% in October 2024 and 16.5% in 2023.

Only three states are up (this excludes Tesla and Polestar): Western Australia at +0.7% to 11,177 and Northern Territory at +0.1% to 910. New South Wales is down -0.8% to 30,079, Victoria off -1.3% to 27,271, Queensland also down -1.3% to 20,487, South Australia down -3% to 6,623, Tasmania down -5% to 1,691 and the Australian Capital Territory down -4.9% to 1,350. Petrol sales sink -15.4% to 36,807, diesel is actually up 3.9% to 30,073 ad HEVs continue to soar at +25.2% to 17,751. Meanwhile BEVs gain 14.8% to 7,361 and 7.3% share vs. 6.4% a year ago and PHEVs surge 96.3% to 4,724 and 4.7% share. Looking at sales by country of origin, Japan is down -2.9% to 27,716, Thailand down -5.5%  to 20,811, China up 32.5% to 20,405 and 20.3% share, South Korea is off -9.1% to 12,455 and Germany down -1.8% to 4,928.

The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro repeats at a record #6.

In the brands ranking, Toyota (+6.8%) is strong at 16.8% share, widening the gap with Ford (-11.8%). Mazda (-6.7%) reclaims the 4th spot off Kia (+0.1%) with Hyundai (-9.6%) and Mitsubishi (-15.7%) in tow. For only the second time in Australian history (add August), there are four Chinese carmakers in the Top 10. GWM is up 32.3% to repeat at #7, BYD (+128.6%) is down two spots on last month #8, MG (-31.7%) is in dire straits at #9 and Chery (+145.2%) cracks the Top 10 for the 2nd time ever, signs an 8th consecutive all time high volume (over 3,500) and a record share at 3.5%. Further down, newcomer Geely is up five ranks on September to a record #23.

It’s a photo finish at the top of the models charts this month: despite its old age the Toyota Hilux (-1.7%) comes first for the 4th time in the past six months, 42 units above the Ford Ranger (-7.5%), itself one sale above the Toyota RAV4 (-9.1%). Note that the Ranger remains above the Hilux year-to-date and also wins the lucrative 4×4 ute race at 4,195 with 3,793. The Ford Everest (-8.7%) repeats at a record 4th position (hit 7 times) while the Hyundai Kona (+14.3%) jumps 6 spots on last month to reach an all time high #5 with 2% share (previous best #8 and 1.9% last June). The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (+457.9%) repeats at a best ever 6th place, hitting a record 2% share. I can attest the model is everywhere in the streets of Sydney. 

Previous month: Australia September 2025: BEVs at record 11.3% share, BYD Sealion 7 and GWM Haval Jolion break into the Top 10

One year ago: Australia October 2024: Toyota RAV4 #1 for 4th straight month, Leapmotor lands

Full October Top 55 All brands and Top 339 All models below.