According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) a total of 105,285 new vehicles were delivered to customers in May by Australian new car dealers.
The market was down 5.2% compared to the same month in 2024.
However FCAI chief executive Tony Weber says the results reflect a market that remains resilient and competitive by historic standards.
Weber says the fundamentals of the market remain robust, with strong competition and consumer interest across a range of vehicle types.
In the year to May, SUVs once again led the market, with sales volume growing to 60.5% of all new vehicles sold in Australia, compared to 55.8% in 2024, underlining their status as the preferred choice for many buyers.
The FCAI has joined with the European Australian Business Council and other Australian organisations in calling for a conclusion to a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the European Union. An agreement could spell the end of the outdated Luxury Car Tax and the elimination of a 5% tariff imposed on vehicles from the EU.
“Australia’s automotive sector strongly encourages all participants to deliver a trade outcome that is future-focused rather than prolonging outdated and inefficient policy arrangements, and one that allows Australians to share in world-leading mobility, safety and environmental technologies at the lowest possible prices,” Weber says.
Toyota was the market leader with sales of 23,576 during May, followed by Ford (8464),
Mazda (7845), Kia (6903) and Hyundai (6708).
The Toyota Hilux was Australia’s top selling vehicle with sales of 4952 followed by the Ford Ranger (4761), Toyota RAV4 (4003), Toyota Landcruiser (3046) and Toyota Prado (2732).
For May 2025, sales in the Australian Capital Territory were down 15.5% on May 2024 to 1413; New South Wales was down 2.9% to 32,177; Northern Territory decreased by 12.8% to 871; Queensland fell 2.6% to 22,924; South Australia was down by 12.1% to 6,596; Tasmania had a decrease of 14.8% to 1549; Victoria was down 4.7% to 28,671 and Western Australia decreased 10.1% to 11,084.
Key Points:
• The May 2025 market of 105,285 shows a decrease in new vehicle sales of 5,814
(-5.2%) compared to May 2024 (111,099). There were 26.8 selling days in both May 2025
and May 2024 resulting in a decrease of 216.9 vehicle sales per day in May 2025.
• The Passenger Vehicle Market is down by 7086 vehicle sales (-33.3%) over the same
month last year; the Sports Utility Market is up by 3962 vehicle sales (6.6%); the Light
Commercial Market is down by 1835 vehicle sales (-7.2%) and the Heavy Commercial
Vehicle Market is down by 855 vehicle sales (-17.9%) versus May 2024.
• Toyota was market leader in May. It led Ford with a margin of 15,112 vehicle sales and 14.4 market share points.
Join the conversation