VFACTS: New record set in January

THE success of new-vehicle sales in 2023 has rolled into the new year with January numbers marking an all-time record for the opening month of 2024.

January’s previous record was set in 2018 when 88,551 new vehicles were delivered.

In total, 89,782 new vehicles were registered across 25 selling days, one more than in January 2023.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) said the increase represents a rise of 5.8 per cent over the same time last year and equates to an increase of 54.9 new vehicle sales per day.

Passenger vehicle sales fell 168 units (-1.0 per cent) over the same month last year while the SUV market continued its upward march with an increase of 3132 vehicle sales (+6.7 per cent).

Light commercial vehicle sales also grew, up 2055 units (+11.1 per cent) while the heavy commercial vehicle sector slipped 110 units (-3.6 per cent).

Toyota was again the market leader in January, followed by Mazda and Ford. Toyota led Mazda with a margin of 9738 units and 10.8 market share points, delivering a record 17,903 units across January, ahead of Mazda (8165 units), Ford (6624), Hyundai (6162) and Mitsubishi (5911).

Despite Toyota’s win, it was Ford that continued to dominate the single-model scoreboard with its Ranger again asserting its position as Australia’s top-selling vehicle.

Ford sold 4747 examples of the Ranger in January, ahead of the Toyota HiLux (4092 units), Toyota LandCruiser (2541), Isuzu Ute D-Max (2541) and Toyota RAV4 (2211). In January, Ranger sales accounted for 71.6 per cent of all Ford vehicles sold locally.

The record January result shows a continued preference for LCV and SUV models. Overall, Australian SUV sales accounted for 55.5 per cent of the overall January mix, while LCV models comprised 22.9 per cent and passenger vehicles 18.3 per cent of sales.

Low-emission vehicles remain a popular part of the mix, with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles comprising 17.4 per cent of all vehicle sales (including 5.4 per cent battery electric).

Across the country, sales in Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, the Northern Territory and New South Wales were up, while Tasmania and the ACT decreased.

FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said that although the figures appear promising, there are concerns that the longer-term outlook for 2024 will soften as businesses and families face uncertain economic conditions – particularly as the New Vehicle Emissions Standard looms.

“The continuing preference for SUVs and utes demonstrates the challenges the Commonwealth government is facing as it works to introduce a New Vehicle Emissions Standard,” he said.

“Industry wants an emission standard that is ambitious without limiting the choice and increasing the cost of the vehicles Australians need and want.

“Even with the current incentives offered by the Commonwealth and State and territory governments, sales of battery electric vehicles appear to have plateaued during recent months.

“For more than a year the industry has been sharing information with the government about what is happening in the suburbs and regions around the country and the preferences and challenges facing families and businesses.

“Good policy must reflect reality rather than a desktop exercise that makes assumptions about what the world can look like, and we strongly urge the government to share its modelling with us.”

Top 10 vehicle sales by make (January 2024):

Top 10 vehicle sales by model (January 2024):

State by state (January 2024):

*All data supplied courtesy of the FCAI.