VFACTS: Slow start to new sales year

JANUARY sales have seen the year off to a slow start.

Following a record-setting result in 2024, the figures released today by the FCAI show monthly sales of 86,804 units – down 3.3 per cent on the same period last year.

The FCAI says the slower-than-usual start to the year follows a “weak” second half of 2024, with chief executive Tony Weber citing Australia’s current economic conditions as limiting factor for buyers across all market segments.

“Weakness in the market in (the latter half of 2024) has continued through to the January result and those current economic conditions remain a major consideration for consumers in all market segments,” he said.

“Sales of hybrids and plug-in hybrid vehicles continued to grow and now make up nearly one in five of new sales representing 17.1 per cent and 2.2 per cent of sales respectively.

“However, sales of battery electric vehicles were remarkably low and based on data from all sources, EVs accounted for just 4.4 per cent of sales, the lowest since October 2022.

“This is a major concern because consumers are turning away from EVs at the time the Commonwealth Government has introduced the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).

“The industry continues to increase the number of zero and low-emission vehicles providing consumers with an increased choice of models and varying price points.

“However, the Government needs to reconsider the steps it can take to build consumer confidence in EVs, otherwise their ambitious NVES targets will not be met,” he concluded.

Coming as no surprise, Toyota was the market-leading new car importer for the month of January, selling 18,424 units for the month. It was followed by second-place Mazda (8322 units), which ousted third-place Ford (with 6840 units). Kia placed fourth with 5720 unit sales and Mitsubishi fifth (5681 units).

As was the case last month, the Toyota RAV4 was again Australia’s best-selling new car, accruing 5076 unit sales for the first month of the calendar year. Ford’s Ranger placed second with 4254 unit sales ahead of the Toyota HiLux (3302), Toyota LandCruiser Prado (2847 units), and the Mitsubishi Outlander (2090).

Rusticated from the FCAI’s figures are those for electric vehicle importers Polestar and Tesla (figures as supplied by the Electric Vehicle Council).

The Sino-Swedish brand achieved sales of 82 units for the month, down 45.3 per cent from the year prior, while its American counterpart managed 739 unit sales, down 33.2 per cent on the same time last year.

Indeed, and in circling back to Mr Weber’s statement, battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales are certainly down on the same time last year.

In January, 3011 BEV units were sold, down 38.5 per cent on 2024.

Interestingly, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales rose 88.5 per cent to 1908 units, and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) sales 51.5 per cent to 14,836 units.

Petrol vehicle sales fell 8.0 per cent to 38,852 and diesel vehicle sales 12.3 per cent to 25,372 units.

Across jurisdictions we find the Northern Territory and Western Australia up slightly with a 3.4 per cent (767 units total) and 3.5 per cent (10,258 units total) increase respectively.

Sales in all other states and territories fell, the Australian Capital Territory taking the largest dive, down 11.9 per cent on January 2024 to 1137 units. Queensland new car sales slumped 4.4 per cent to 18,913 units, Victoria 4.1 per cent to 22,786 units, New South Wales 4.0 per cent to 25,717 units, Tasmania 3.9 per cent to 1435 units, and finally South Australia 3.5 per cent to 5791.

Top 10 vehicle sales by make (January 2025):

Top 10 vehicle sales by model (January 2025):

State by state (January 2025):

*All data supplied courtesy of the FCAI.