VFACTS: All-time record for 2023

THE Australian automotive market has achieved an unprecedented milestone for 2023 setting an all-time record for new vehicle sales – and the Ford Ranger is Australia’s best-selling new car.

The Ford Ranger has taken the trophy from the Toyota HiLux, which has been Australia’s best-selling new vehicle for seven years in a row. It is the first time a Ford has topped the Aussie sales charts since the Falcon beat the Holden Commodore in 1995.

A total of 1,216,780 new vehicles were delivered across the year, topping the previous highest sales result of 1,189,116 set in 2017. In relative numbers, 4.6 per cent of the country’s population purchased a new car in 2023.

The December market of 98,544 new vehicle sales marked an increase of 10,624 units or 12.1 per cent over the same month last year, despite fewer selling days. The FCAI says an average of 589.2 new vehicles were sold each day across the month of December.

Interestingly, the passenger vehicle market is up by 1304 units (or 8.7 per cent) over the same month last year, while the SUV market continues to grow, up 3180 units (6.5 per cent). Light commercial vehicle sales jumped 6094 units over December 2022 (31.2 per cent) and heavy commercial vehicle sales 46 units (1.1 per cent) versus the same time last year.

Toyota was again the market leader in December, followed by Ford and Mazda. Toyota led Ford with a margin of 9455 vehicle sales and 9.6 market share points.

The big ‘T’ was also Australia’s favourite car brand across 2023 – and for the twenty-first year running – with a 17.7 per cent share of the market. However, the popular HiLux could not outsell Ford’s Ranger in 2023, the Thai-built utility totalling 63,356 sales units for the year.

Light commercial vehicles, including the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, join a raft of SUV models to account for a combined 78.4 per cent of all vehicle types sold across 2023, and comprise all the top 10 vehicles sold for the year (see below).

In a continued shift toward electrification, the FCAI notes that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 7.2 per cent of the overall sales mix. Combined BEV, PHEV, and HEV vehicles achieved 196,868 new vehicle sales in 2023, or 16.2 per cent of all new vehicle sales.

“This extraordinary result is a testament to the adaptability and resilience of both industry players and consumers alike. Despite the supply chain disruptions faced in recent times, consumers now have greater access to a broad range of choices, fostering increased accessibility in the market,” said FCAI chief executive Tony Weber.

Mr Weber said the FCAI is optimistic that the federal government will introduce a Fuel Efficiency Standard in 2023 that achieves the policy outcomes required to reduce vehicular emissions, while at the same time enabling Australian new car buyers to drive the vehicles that want and need.

“For more than a decade, the FCAI has been encouraging governments to introduce a Fuel Efficiency Standard. Now we have the process underway it’s critical that the Federal government takes time the to get it right. That is essential for environmental outcomes and for consumers,” he stated.

Looking ahead, Mr Weber expressed optimism about the industry's future in 2024 while acknowledging potential challenges.

“This is a tremendously exciting time for the industry. Consumers have a wide choice of vehicles available to meet their work, recreation and family needs that come equipped with the latest advancements in engine technology, safety features and advanced driving, navigation, and entertainment aids,” he continued.

“As we celebrate this historic achievement, we recognise that the automotive sector will face challenges in the coming months. Cost-of-living pressures and increased interest rates will impact the market, and we anticipate a challenging 2024.

“The FCAI will continue its work with governments and other industry stakeholders during 2024 to manage a broad range of issues ranging from emissions standards, environmental impacts, logistics and supply chains, taxation, vehicle safety, data use and recharging infrastructure,” he concluded.

Top 10 vehicle sales by make (December 2023):

Top 10 vehicle sales by model (December 2023):

State by state (December 2023):

Top 10 vehicle sales by make (2023 cumulative):

Top 10 vehicle sales by model (2023 cumulative):

*All data supplied courtesy of the FCAI.