Non-ute the top car in July as new car sales records continue

Toyota’s RAV4 overtook sales of the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux as it took the top spot for new car sales in July.

Last month’s car sales hit a new July record as the Australian car market returned from a dip in June.

According to VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), there were 99, 486 new cars delivered in July, an increase of 2.7 per cent compared to the same time in 2023, which was, previously, the highest July record.

Deliveries of new cars declined for the first time in June this year after 14 months of consecutive growth, which was the longest streak in 20 years.

Despite the dip in June, year-to-date numbers for this year are looking robust, with 731,898 cars sold compared to 678,618 for the same time last year, an increase of 7.9 per cent.

According to FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber, the results would have exceeded 100,000 if Tesla and Polestar sales figures were included in the VFACTS numbers.

Another shock was Toyota’s RAV4 being the top-selling car last month with 5,933 sales compared to the second place Ford Ranger with 4,915. This is the fifth time the SUV has surpassed the Ford Ranger.

Mr Weber acknowledged that the RAV4’s success was due to a shift in popularity towards hybrid cars and away from fully-electric vehicles (EVs) in recent times.

“The hybrid performance is highlighted by the fact that the Toyota RAV4 was the top-selling vehicle for the month ahead of Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux. Most RAV4 sales are hybrids,” Mr Weber said.

“While the first seven months of 2024 have exceeded expectations, the industry remains cautious about the future pending the implementation of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard coupled with the economic conditions.”

Following the RAV4 and Ranger was the Toyota HiLux with 4,747 sales, the Corolla with 2,688 and the Isuzu D-Max in fifth with 2,369.

Toyota continued to be the most popular new-car brand in July with 22,705 cars delivered, an increase of 18 per cent compared to July 2023 and up 29 per cent year-to-date.

In second place was Mazda with 8,476 sales, up by two per cent, and Ford in third with 7,749 sales, an increase of nine per cent.

EVs accounted for 6.6 per cent of new car sales which was a decrease from seven per cent during the same time in 2023.

Battery-electric car sales have stumbled recently and July’s figures show no sign of it changing with a 41 per cent decline compared to the same time last year with 4,048 compared to 6,864 respectively. Conversely, year-to-date numbers are still increasing with an increase of 8.7 per cent.

Contrasting to this, hybrid sales are thriving with an increase of a whopping 88 per cent compared with July last year and 108 per cent year to date. Plug-in hybrid sales have seen a massive increase with 2,209 units delivered compared to 965 in July last year, a 129 per cent increase for the month and year too.

Top car models July 2024

1. Toyota RAV4 – 5,933
2. Ford Ranger – 4,915
3. Toyota HiLux – 4,747
4. Toyota Corolla – 2,688
5. Isuzu D-Max – 2,369
6. Ford Everest – 2,162
7. Mitsubishi Outlander – 2,110
8. Mazda CX-5 – 2,031
9. MG ZS – 1,815
10. Toyota Kluger – 1,705

Top car brands July 2024

1. Toyota – 22,705
2. Mazda – 8,476
3. Ford – 7,749
4. Kia – 6,620
5. Hyundai – 6,021
6. Mitsubishi – 5,718
7. MG – 4,101
8. Isuzu Ute – 3,821
9. Subaru – 3,601
10. GWM – 3,319