Australia May 2026: BEVs at record 19.9% share, Tesla Model Y #1, Jaecoo J5 #7

The Jaecoo J5 EV breaks into the Australian Top 10 in May.

106,887 new vehicles hit Australian roads, a -2.3% year-on-year contraction. The year-to-date volume after five months stands at 491,523, off -1% over the same period a year ago. Private sales follow the market at -2.8% to 51,246, while business fleets drop -4.1% to 38,277, rental sales dive -14.7% to 4,957 and government sales are down -19.2% to 2,364. This excludes Tesla, Polestar and heavy commercials. SUVs continue to dominate the local landscape with a stunning 65.5% share vs. 61.6% a year ago in May 2025. Meanwhile light commercials are at 18.7% vs. 21.5% last year and passenger cars drop to 12.6% share vs. 13.3% a year ago. Heavy commercials account for 3.1% of the volume vs. 3.6% in May 2025.

The big story of the month is BEVs shooting up 111.7% year-on-year to 21,303 and a record 19.9% share. This is the third month in a row BEVs break their share record, after hitting 14.6% in March and 16.4% in April. They add up to 71,146 year-to-date for a 14.5% share. HEVs are up 11.3% to 19,024 and PHEVs surge 202.3% to 9,315. This means electrified vehicles hold a huge 46.4% of the Australian market this month. Meanwhile petrol is down -30.3% to 28,692 and diesel off -26.2% to 25,191. All states and territories are down bar Tasmania (+5.2% to 1,630). This excludes Tesla and Polestar. New South Wales is at -3% to 31,205, Victoria at -4.6% to 27,343, Queensland at -8.9% to 20,885, Western Australia at -5.2% to 10,507, South Australia at -2.2% to 6,454, Australian Capital Territory at -3.2% to 1,368 and Northern Territory at -6.5% to 814. 

The other big story is the detail by country of production. China soars 74.1% to 37,229 or a huge (and record) 34.8% of all sales. In contrast Japan (-28.9% to 22,832) and Thailand (-22.1% to 17,552) are both hit hard. South Korea (+5.2% to 13,184) is solid but Germany (-6.5% to 4,597) falls faster than the market.

The Tesla Model Y (made in China) is the best-selling vehicle in Australia in May.

In the brands ranking, Toyota (-30.7%) completely implodes and endures a 5th consecutive double-digit YoY decline and the biggest one at that. The Japanese carmaker is down to 15.3% share vs. 21.5% a year ago in May 2025. Meanwhile BYD (+154.6%) continues to surges ahead and repeats at a record 2nd place, breaking its volume record at 8,211. Once again BYD manages double-digit market shares in ACT and WA. It now ranks #3 year-to-date with 6.8% share. Ford (-15%) struggles but is back up two spots on April to #3. Hyundai (+4.5%) stays at #4 ahead of sister brand Kia (-2.1%).

Tesla (+65.1%) shoots up 12 spots on last month to #6 and 6% share, equalling its ranking record (also reached in June 2023 and March 2024) and reaching a new all time high share (previous best 5.6% in June 2023). Mazda (-27.4%) continues to skid and is now down to a paltry 7th place, its lowest ranking in at least 15 years. GWM (+9.1%) ranks #8 ahead of Chery (+59.7%) which breaks its volume record for staggering 16th month in a row at 4,401. MG (+18.4%) perks back up and rounds out the Top 10. Mitsubishi (-30.6%) spends a second month outside the Top 10, something that hasn’t happened in at least 15 years. Geely (+415.9%) and Omoda Jaecoo (+729%) both shatter all their records and both fit within the Top 15. Zeekr (+1390%) advances to a highest ever #22, outselling Audi and Lexus.

Over in the models charts, we have a historic event in pole position: as sales of the new L long version ramp up, the Tesla Model Y (+56.6%) snaps its first ever Australian win and becomes the first BEV to top the charts overall. The Ford Ranger (-6%) and Toyota Hilux (-19.1% despite a new generation) are beaten. The Toyota RAV4 (-3.4%) is down three spots on last month to #4 while at #5 the Hyundai Kona (+17.4%) cracks the Top 5 for the 2nd time ever after last October. Below the Hyundai Tucson (+27.5%) up 10 ranks on April to #6, the Jaecoo J5 is the surprise of the month inside the Top 10: up 32 spots to a record breaking 7th place. Another outstanding performance is delivered by the Geely EX5 (+255%) ending the month just outside the Top 10 at #11. BYD now has no less than 8 models in the Top 50: the Sealion 7 (#14), Shark 6 (#19), Sealion 8 (#33), Sealion 6 (#38), Atto 2 (#40), Atto 1 (#41), Atto 3 (#47) and Sealion 5 (#50).

Previous month: Australia April 2026: BYD up to #2 brand, BEVs up 157.2% to record 16.4% share

One year ago: Australia May 2025: Tesla Model Y and Chery Tiggo 4 Pro shine in market off -1.6%

Full May 2026 Top 55 All brands and Top 50 models below.