Australians in lockdown continue to buy cars in big numbers

A strange thing is happening in the car market, despite the fact that more than half the population of Australia is in harsh lockdown.

Australian new car buyers have defied lockdowns and shuttered dealerships to snap up more than 80,000 new cars last month.

A total of 81,999 new cars found a home in August – 20,000 more than the same month in 2020 – despite the country’s two most populous states being under harsh stay-at-home orders.

NSW sold more than 21,000 new cars in August, which was the most in the country, but was a drop of about seven per cent on last year’s figures.

Victoria sold a similar number of vehicles, which was more than 150 per cent better than the same month in 2020, when the state was in the midst of its second Covid wave.

The Isuzu D-Max, Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux were the three best selling utes. Taken by Thomas Wielecki

Toyota dominated the market, attracting roughly one in four new car buyers.

Ute sales also ballooned by 70 per cent – they have overtaken hatchbacks and sedans combined as Aussies spend their overseas holiday money on adventure vehicles. More than four out of five new vehicles sold were SUVs and utes.

Tony Weber, the head of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries said the strong sales results are due to manufacturers being agile and looking to innovate.

“The bounce of 33 per cent on last year’s figure demonstrates the resolve of car manufacturers to engage with customers and drive-up new vehicle ownership,” said Mr Weber.

“With access to showrooms limited, vehicle makers are working to engage customers in their homes and other places of isolation.”

Many makers have beefed-up their online sales process to cater for locked down buyers.

Toyota Prado sales are strong in the absence of the new LandCruiser that will arrive later this year.

Toyotas accounted for four of the top five selling vehicles in the country.

The Toyota HiLux ute extended its reign at the top with 4470 sales, this was followed by the Ford Ranger ute with 3959 sales. The Ranger and its SUV offshoot Everest made up roughly 85 per cent of Ford sales.

The top five was rounded out by the Toyota Corolla small car (3563), Toyota RAV4 SUV (3169) and Toyota Prado four-wheel drive (2731).

Toyota’s result is even more impressive considering the supply constraints the industry is experiencing due to a shortage of semiconductors.

The Ford Ranger is the only non-Toyota in the top five.

Mazda was again the second-best selling marque in Australia.

The fight for the final spot on the podium is heating up as Hyundai, Ford, Kia and Mitsubishi’s total yearly sales are only separated by about 1000 sales.

Chinese maker MG continues its rise into the top 10 with another strong month. MG has established itself as a mainstream contender – its yearly sales have eclipsed Subaru and are only a few thousand off Nissan and Volkswagen.

MG has firmly established itself as a mainstream player on the back of strong sales of its ZS SUV.

MG sold 1700 of its ZS small SUV, which made it the ninth best selling vehicle in the country and the third best selling SUV after the Toyota RAV4 and the Mazda CX-5 (2239).

Honda sold less than 1000 vehicles in August as it starts to roll out its new agency sales model.

It has shrunk its dealership network, head office owns all the stock and prices are non-negotiable. Dealers now focus on delivering vehicles and servicing.

Honda said its sales slump was expected and believes its sales will rebound towards the end of year as new product arrives and it will be closer to its goal of 20,000 vehicle sales annually.

The new Honda Civic hatchback is due later this year.

The future of Chrysler and Citroen is still up in the air as the brands registered just 26 and five sales for the month respectively

TOP 10 SELLING VEHICLES IN AUGUST

Toyota HiLux – 4470

Ford Ranger – 3959

Toyota Corolla – 3563

Toyota RAV4 – 3169

Toyota Prado – 2731

Mazda CX-5 – 2239

Hyundai i30 – 2047

Isuzu D-Max – 1941

MG ZS – 1700

Mitsubishi Outlander – 1638

TOP 10 SELLING BRANDS IN AUGUST

Toyota – 19,959

Mazda – 7645

Kia – 5065

Ford – 5058

Hyundai – 5016

Mitsubishi – 4802

Volkswagen – 3793

Subaru – 3232

Isuzu – 3099

MG – 3011