Alternate energy sales grow in slowing market

The Chery Tiggo 4 was the top-selling Chinese model in September as alternate energy sales continue to grow

THE new vehicle market continued its recent topsy-turvy run in September, increasing year-on-year, despite year-to-date sales easing, with hybrid and EV sales continuing to grow.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said the results showed encouraging signs from a low base for EV uptake, but further action is required to accelerate the transition, in line with Federal Government targets.

“There is no shortage of battery electric vehicles on the market in Australia, with more than 100 BEVs and more than 50 PHEVs available, manufacturers have worked hard to provide Australians with high-quality electric vehicles. What is needed now is a stronger focus on encouraging demand, in particular public recharging infrastructure,” Mr Weber said.

“More needs to be done to give mainstream buyers the confidence to consider EVs in the future. We need to move EV ownership beyond early adopters to mainstream Australians if we are to deliver the ambitious transition that the Government is seeking,” Mr Weber said.

The Toyota juggernaut continued its run at the top with 18,318 sales, more than Ford (8,300) and KIA (7,330) combined, Mazda (7,034) slipped to fourth, but stayed third in the year-to-date sales ahead of KIA and Hyundai (6,501).

Mitsubishi finished sixth year-to-date, despite being outsold by GWM, 4,739 to 4,945, while BYD (5,084) continues to grow and is now challenging for a top-five place by year’s end, with MG (4,011) and Isuzu Ute (2,668) rounding out the 10 best selling brands.

Individual model sales showed Ford’s position is tied to the Ranger (4,867)/Everest (2,558) twins, approximately 75% of the company’s total sales.

With four of the ten best sellers, HiLux (5,047), RAV4 (2,554), LandCruiser (2,101) and Prado (1,885), Toyota’s position seems unassailable, the big news is neither Corolla or Camry made the best-seller list.

Chery’s Tiggo 4 Pro (2,048) was best of the expanding Chinese models as the BYD Sealion 7 (1,887) and Haval Jolion (1,881) bracketed the Prado.

Heavy vehicle sales, often a yardstick for the general economy, reflecting the demand for the freight task and financial confidence, continued to drop against the record levels of 2024, down 1,411 units to 11,145 for the year-to-date.

Top performers remain Isuzu (1,077), Hino (412) Kenworth (317), Fuso (312) and Volvo (197), in the van segment Ford led the way with 238 units, ahead of Mercedes-Benz Vans and LDV with 179 units each, with Renault (106) and FIAT(70) following.

Tony McMullan, CEO of the Truck Industry Council, said the results show the market is stabilising as it contracts from consecutive record years.

“Hopefully quarter two was the low point and that we will now witness stabilised, or increasing, sales for the last part of 2025 and into 2026. While 2025 has seen a noticeable downturn in new truck and van sales, with just three months to go until year end, the industry is still on track for its third best sales year here in Australia.” Mr McMullan said.