VFacts Feb 2024

[naddis01]

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-new...-new-car-sales

VFACTS February 2024: Another record month for Australian new car sales

New car sales were up again in February, with Nissan storming up the sales charts and Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi up by double digits.

William Stopford

February 2024 was yet another record-breaking month for new car deliveries in Australia, with a long-expected slowdown in sales yet to be reflected in the tallies.

A total of 105,023 vehicles were sold in February, an increase of 20.9 per cent compared with February 2023.

Not only were sales up across every state and territory, every SUV, ute and van segment was up, while small and mid-sized passenger cars also saw a bump.

Sales of traditional petrol and diesel vehicles were up 4.5 and 21.1 per cent respectively, while electric vehicle (EV) sales jumped 70.4 per cent and hybrids saw an even greater increase of 100.2 per cent.

EVs accounted for 9.6 per cent of the market and the Tesla Model 3 was the third best-selling vehicle overall, behind the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

VFACTS February 2024: Another record month for Australian new car sales
However, the peak body for new car brands cited the fact just one electric ute was sold – the LDV eT60, which is more than double the price of its turbo-diesel counterpart – as a reason the Australian Government should be cautious about its proposed efficiency and emissions standards.

“Australian motorists’ strong preference for utes, accounting for 20.3 per cent of sales this month, demonstrates the challenges with the proposed New Vehicle Emissions (sic) Standard,” said Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) chief executive Tony Weber.

“Out of 21,327 utes sold in February, only one was an EV.

“Growing sales of electric vehicles across other market segments proves that where a battery electric product exists which suits the driving habits of Australian motorists, work and recreation needs they will purchase these vehicles.”

Brands
Toyota was comfortably ensconced in the top spot, though HiLux 4×2 sales sunk 51.4 per cent year-over-year, the Kluger fell by 19.4 per cent, and the Prado dropped by 9.3 per cent ahead of the launch of a new-generation model mid-year.

VFACTS February 2024: Another record month for Australian new car sales
Mazda sat in second with 7350 sales, down 4.1 per cent. It was let down by a drop in CX-5 sales (down 36.8 per cent) plus the drying up of CX-9 stock, though the updated Mazda 2 also sunk by 35.1 per cent.

Ford was up 20.8 per cent to 7275 sales, and even a drop in Ranger 4×2 sales couldn’t stop the Ranger from being Australia’s best-selling vehicle. Everest sales were up 40.8 per cent and Ranger 4×4 sales by 26.2 per cent.

Just outside of the top three was Nissan, which had a huge month especially considering it sat in 12th place last month.

Nissan sales were up 157.2 per cent over February 2023, with the X-Trail up 283.5 per cent, the Patrol by 206.3 per cent, the Juke by 223.4 per cent, and the Navara up by 181 per cent.

After fending off Kia in January, Hyundai was overtaken by its in-house rival (5703 sales vs 6141 sales). Both were outsold by Mitsubishi, which recorded 6411 deliveries.

The top 10 was rounded out by Tesla, Isuzu Ute and MG.

With updated Model 3 deliveries back on track, Tesla wasn’t outsold by BYD again.

Brand Sales Change YoY
Toyota 19,374 +35.2%
Mazda 7350 -4.1%
Ford 7275 +20.8%
Nissan 6617 +157.2%
Mitsubishi 6411 +16.6%
Kia 6141 +2.4%
Hyundai 5703 +3.6%
Tesla 5665 +61.1%
Isuzu Ute 4692 +48.7%
MG 4474 +2.5%
Subaru 3802 -6.2%
GWM 3458 +47%
Volkswagen 3169 +8.2%
Suzuki 1742 +26%
BMW 1710 +63.3%
Honda 1709 +39.2%
Mercedes-Benz 1645 -8.9%
BYD 1549 +101.2%
LDV 1387 -16%
Audi 1219 -27.4%
Lexus 1009 +40.9%
Porsche 717 +16.8%
Chery 629 –
Volvo 604 -29.6%
Skoda 533 -17.4%
Land Rover 520 +293.9%
Renault 514 -9.7%
SsangYong 422 -11%
Ram 325 -40.6%
Chevrolet 287 +33.5%
Mini 286 +53.8%
Cupra 219 +3.8%
Jeep 219 -44.1%
Peugeot 206 +82.3%
Polestar 113 -34.3%
Fiat 104 -32.9%
Genesis 75 -31.8%
Alfa Romeo 64 +113.3%
Jaguar 43 +95.5%
Maserati 34 +36%
Lamborghini 18 +20%
Lotus 17 +30.8%
Citroen 13 0%
Ferrari 13 -40.9%
Bentley 11 -75.6%
Aston Martin 9 -10%
Rolls-Royce 4 +300%
McLaren 2 -50%
Models
After snatching the crown from the Toyota HiLux in 2023, the Ford Ranger was once again Australia’s best-selling vehicle.

Not only that, it managed to beat the HiLux in 4×2 ute sales – typically, the Ranger only beats the HiLux in 4×4 sales. The Isuzu D-Max also pushed past the HiLux in 4×2 sales.

The Tesla Model 3 overtook the Model Y in sales, no doubt buoyed by a recent update and the resumption of sales following a brief pause to address a compliance issue.

The Nissan X-Trail stormed past all its mid-sized SUV rivals bar the Toyota RAV4.

Ford Ranger: 5353
Toyota HiLux: 4403
Tesla Model 3: 3593
Isuzu D-Max: 2941
Toyota RAV4: 2843
Nissan X-Trail: 2508
Toyota Corolla: 2439
MG ZS: 2357
Mitsubishi Outlander: 2209
Tesla Model Y: 2072
Isuzu MU-X: 1751
Hyundai Tucson: 1687
Mazda CX-5: 1642
Toyota LandCruiser wagon: 1578
Toyota Camry: 1552
Mitsubishi Triton: 1537
Nissan Navara: 1501
Mazda BT-50: 1389
Hyundai i30: 1372
Kia Sportage: 1350

[naddis01]

I see the F150 has given the RAM 1500 a big hit almost matching their sales.

[Smoke Pursuit]

F150 sales are mostly made up of dealer demos, most dealers put on at least 1 if not 2 cars.

The F150 program has been managed terribly between Ford and RMA from a sales priority point of view.

For anyone interested

Utes > $100k Ram 1500 (283) Ford F-150 (255) Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (171)

[DFB FGXR6]

FORD NUMBERS

Ford Escape – 55
Ford Everest – 1059
Ford F-150 – 255
Ford Fiesta – 0
Ford Focus – 0
Ford Mustang – 0
Ford Mustang Mach-E – 66
Ford Puma – 232
Ford Ranger 4x2 – 582
Ford Ranger 4x4 – 4771
Ford Transit Bus – 2
Ford Transit Custom – 183
Ford Transit Heavy – 70
Ford Total – 7275

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Smoke Pursuit

F150 sales are mostly made up of dealer demos, most dealers put on at least 1 if not 2 cars.

The F150 program has been managed terribly between Ford and RMA from a sales priority point of view.

For anyone interested

Utes > $100k Ram 1500 (283) Ford F-150 (255) Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (171)

Wasn't VFACTs altered be a count of retail sales and specifically not include dealer registrations?

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Wasn't VFACTs altered be a count of retail sales and specifically not include dealer registrations?

I dont think so. That was more to do with dealers registering cars and not using them genuinely for demo purpose before covid. Since covid that practice doesn't exist anymore due to lack of stock and no incentives from manufacturers to do so.

They can still report genuine demos as sold cars. Same goes for Service loan cars, which are typically sold as used vehicles once they have done their time.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Wasn't VFACTs altered be a count of retail sales and specifically not include dealer registrations?

I know that VFacts wanted to do that and stamp out the practice of registering
vehicles and taking the sales for vehicles still at dealerships….

Makes me wonder if the difference is that a lot of those demos moved quickly
because of the reduced price?

Or was it simply UNIFOR bile because a registration is a registration because
demos are actually sold vehicles?

These days, buyers are happy to get any sort of discount on favourite vehicles,
it’s been literally years of price gouging….

[Franco Cozzo]

F150 sells more than Puma

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

F150 sells more than Puma

Thus it’s easy to see those idiots running Ford Australia are only interested in Ranger / Everest & F-150.

Wait until “hand ringing” Chris Bowen MP gets a hold of Ford here lol

[ToryMikey]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

Thus it’s easy to see those idiots running Ford Australia are only interested in Ranger / Everest & F-150.

Wait until “hand ringing” Chris Bowen MP gets a hold of Ford here lol

The Yanks running the show have no clue about the political climate here

The Federal Government has shown a clear desire to legislate us into zero emission vehicles, let's see how that goes for Ford, or basically any manufacturer that isn't Toyota/Mazda or electric only.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by ToryMikey

The Yanks running the show have no clue about the political climate here

The Federal Government has shown a clear desire to legislate us into zero emission vehicles, let's see how that goes for Ford, or basically any manufacturer that isn't Toyota/Mazda or electric only.

Ford has outlasted plenty of Federal Governments so far

[CyberWasp]

Is it the 1st time 4x2 Ranger has beaten 4x2 Hilux?

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Is it the 1st time 4x2 Ranger has beaten 4x2 Hilux?

Even the D-Max 4x2 pipped Hilux with 524 sales to 516, so you can bet that
something serious was up with Toyota’s deliveries last month….

Not to take anything away from Ford’s success but we would need to see that
happen for the next few months to show that it was an actual repeatable event.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Even the D-Max 4x2 pipped Hilux with 524 sales to 516, so you can bet that
something serious was up with Toyota’s deliveries last month….

Not to take anything away from Ford’s success but we would need to see that
happen for the next few months to show that it was an actual repeatable event.

Toyota halted production for a while, so not sure of the impact.
Toyota admits to cheating engine tests for HiLux, Prado, LandCruiser, shipments halted
https://www.drive.com.au/news/toyota...test-cheating/

[DK30RB]

Not sure there is a supply issue with Hilux. Toyota Ad on TV this morning advertising Hilux models in stock ready for immediate delivery.

[BENT_8]

Facelift Hilux due in showrooms this month I believe with 165kw GR Sport an addition to the lineup so buyers probably holding out.
Showroom stock would be runout of existing model.

[ToryMikey]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Facelift Hilux due in showrooms this month I believe with 165kw GR Sport an addition to the lineup so buyers probably holding out.
Showroom stock would be runout of existing model.

Wow. It might even almost outrun a stock AU Falcon XL. Maybe.

But it sure won’t outhandle it…

[simon varley]

what's the deal with zero Mustang?

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by simon varley

what's the deal with zero Mustang?

S650 doesn’t ship until later this year.

[simon varley]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

S650 doesn’t ship until later this year.

wow, so yet again Ford Australia is out of the market. How many times do they have to do this before sales and marketing get the boot?

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by simon varley

wow, so yet again Ford Australia is out of the market. How many times do they have to do this before sales and marketing get the boot?

Serious question, is it the sales and marketing team at Ford Aust. that actually control this? If you look at every RHD built Ford that is available globally and what is in production today and for a few years to come which models could they have chosen and actually received, putting aside any ADR's/compliance/regulatory costs etc...
Just on initial thought's , obviously any UK and South African sold model, plus any factory RHD built vehicle from N/A.....what else?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by simon varley

what's the deal with zero Mustang?

S550 went out of production a year ago now, so sales during that time have been from cars already built and on a ship or dealer floor stock.

S650 was supposed to arrive in Nov/Dec 2023, then Feb 2024, then Apr 2024, the Aug 2024, now Oct 2024..........................They could have easily been selling the 150 to 200 cars a month if someone at Ford pulled their finger out.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

S550 went out of production a year ago now, so sales during that time have been from cars already built and on a ship or dealer floor stock.

S650 was supposed to arrive in Nov/Dec 2023, then Feb 2024, then Apr 2024, the Aug 2024, now Oct 2024..........................They could have easily been selling the 150 to 200 cars a month if someone at Ford pulled their finger out.

Ford Ute

TSV - Thailand Special Vehicles

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by simon varley

wow, so yet again Ford Australia is out of the market. How many times do they have to do this before sales and marketing get the boot?

Australia is the highest selling export market globally for Mustang, and yet we will get S650 last. Makes no sense to me.

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Ford Ute

TSV - Thailand Special Vehicles

Don't get me started, a bunch of 13-year-olds could do a better than the highly educated university graduates making the key decisions within Ford.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Australia is the highest selling export market globally for Mustang, and yet we will get S650 last. Makes no sense to me.



Don't get me started, a bunch of 13-year-olds could do a better than the highly educated university graduates making the key decisions within Ford.

You just know the bunch of 13 year olds would import the coolest and most powerful cars without hesitation.

"See the world as if for the first time; see it through the eyes of a child, and you will suddenly find that you are free." - Deepak Chopra

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

S550 went out of production a year ago now, so sales during that time have been from cars already built and on a ship or dealer floor stock.

S650 was supposed to arrive in Nov/Dec 2023, then Feb 2024, then Apr 2024, the Aug 2024, now Oct 2024..........................They could have easily been selling the 150 to 200 cars a month if someone at Ford pulled their finger out.

It’s like they want sales to wither and die so the RHD car option ends,
either that or reduce to select runs with set numbers and colours available
“We will sell you what we decide to build” is that the way things are going?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by jpd80

It’s like they want sales to wither and die so the RHD car option ends,
either that or reduce to select runs with set numbers and colours available
“We will sell you what we decide to build” is that the way things are going?

This is my thinking too. I does seem like they have gone far enough down the track for S650 to launch, but I still think they are stringing it out until people lose interest, then they will axe it sighting a lack of demand. Love for this not to be the case, but its getting old waiting for a car that will have been out in the USA for two years, so it will be outdated by the time it arrives. Ford then expect buyers to stump up $100,000 for the privilege.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by jpd80

It’s like they want sales to wither and die so the RHD car option ends,
either that or reduce to select runs with set numbers and colours available
“We will sell you what we decide to build” is that the way things are going?

Sort of related question: how does the Ranger fare if the new Govco fuel efficiency standards bill passes? Does Ford cop a fine for every one sold? Do they pack up shop being so reliant on one model? Or have Ford got a really good PHEV version on the way that will keep them on top past 2029?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Sort of related question: how does the Ranger fare if the new Govco fuel efficiency standards bill passes? Does Ford cop a fine for every one sold? Do they pack up shop being so reliant on one model? Or have Ford got a really good PHEV version on the way that will keep them on top past 2029?

They've got a hybrid version and they've had the 2.3L Ecoboost version since the last model that they used for the USDM Ranger. They've already done the background work it's just not offered to us to buy.

They'd just need to change up the offering for the Australian market, no more slapping a tiny diesel engine in it and calling it a day, they need to put a bit of effort in if those laws make it through parliament.

Because they've already done the background work it's not a threat to Ford, it's just a kick in the *** that they need to do better than put all their eggs in the Ranger's tub.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Sort of related question: how does the Ranger fare if the new Govco fuel efficiency standards bill passes? Does Ford cop a fine for every one sold? Do they pack up shop being so reliant on one model? Or have Ford got a really good PHEV version on the way that will keep them on top past 2029?

The PHEV version was through developed with all the other variants,
it’s just sitting there waiting to be activated.


It’s much easier to develop a hybrid from a PHEV than go the other way but I suspect that
Europe/ Euro 6 stage whatever and tightening emissions will bring it to the table long before 2028.

Watch for Eco protesters to start directly targeting diesel Utes and SUVs as the enemy of the planet.
They don’t care as much about V8/Turbo Falcon & Commodore any more because they’re “gone”.