Record-Breaking Sales of New Cars in Australia, as Per VFACTS, December 2023
In the bustling landscape of Australia's new-car market, December 2023 saw a competitive and record-breaking environment, as highlighted by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI). The market continued to thrive, with a cumulative total of 1,216,780 vehicles sold in 2023, surpassing the previous annual record of 1,189,166 cars in 2017.
Toyota once again emerged as the top-selling brand in December 2023, with a total of 19,281 vehicles sold. This figure represents an increase from the same month in the previous year. Ford followed closely in second place, with 9,826 sales, marking a significant rise from December 2022.
The Ford Ranger took first place among individual models, setting an all-time monthly sales record for the nameplate with 7,767 units sold. Toyota's popular RAV4, traditionally a strong performer, is likely to have held the top spot in December, given its consistent ranking through 2024 and into early 2025. The Toyota Hilux, another stalwart in Australia's pickup market, also posted strong numbers.
Other notable mentions include Mitsubishi, which placed fifth in December 2023 with 5,134 sales, an increase from the same month in the previous year. Mazda trailed behind in third place with 6,765 sales, a decrease from December 2022. MG and Kia rounded out the top 10, with MG placing ninth and Kia tenth, both experiencing a decrease in sales compared to the same month in the previous year.
New South Wales registered the most vehicles in December 2023 with 28,675 sales. Victoria and Queensland followed closely with 27,508 and 21,188 sales, respectively. Isuzu Ute placed seventh in December 2023 with 3,987 sales, an increase from the same month in the previous year. Hyundai and Subaru completed the top 10, with Hyundai in sixth place and Subaru in eighth place, both experiencing an increase in sales compared to the same month in the previous year.
The FCAI emphasised the importance of maintaining "availability and affordability of products across all market segments" for the ongoing success of the industry. Tony Weber, the FCAI's chief executive, stated that consumers now have greater access to a broad range of choices, fostering increased accessibility in the market. The organisation is optimistic that the Federal Government will introduce its promised Fuel Efficiency Standard in 2024 to assist in reducing emissions.
While the precise December 2023 top 10 list is not available from these sources, the data and trends from early 2025 and 2024 suggest that the Toyota RAV4, Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Corolla, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Ford F-Series, Toyota Camry, Kia Sportage, and Chevrolet Silverado were consistently among Australia's best sellers. For official December 2023 monthly sales, checking the FCAI or detailed Automotive sales reports specific to December 2023 would be required.
In the context of the bustling automotive industry, finance institutions in Australia may have observed significant increases in vehicle sales, particularly in December 2023, owing to the record-breaking environment in the new-car market. Moreover, the sports sector could have benefited from this surge, as various sports vehicles, such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, posted impressive sales numbers during this period.
