Ranger leads growing light commercial and SUV market

The Ford Ranger led the Australian new car market in October 2022 with 5628 sales followed by the Toyota Hilux with 4890 registrations reflecting buyer preference for light commercials and SUVs.

Toyota’s RAV4 was third overall with 3222 sales followed by Mazda’s CX-5 (2352) and MG’s ZS (2293).

The light commercial and SUV markets segments made up 80.1% of the 87,299 new vehicles sold during October 2022. The passenger vehicle segment was 15.3% of monthly sales and the residual sales were heavy commercials at 4.7%.

The monthly result released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) represents a 16.9% increase over the same month last year and brings the year-to-date total to 898,429. 

However, the FCAI says this increase reflects more on supply issues in October 2021 rather than any substantial market growth in October 2022.

Total electrified vehicle sales were 10.8% for the month and 10.6% year to date.

FCAI chief executive Tony Weber says this monthly result was an indication that car companies were making progress on overcoming logistical challenges.

“Global car manufacturers have been heavily impacted by the pandemic. This October figure is a positive sign that supply chains are recovering and consistency is returning to the marketplace, but we still have some way to go before it returns to normal,” Weber says.

“It is important to note the continuing, strong preference for SUV and Light Commercial vehicles in Australia. 

“Consumer preference for these vehicles needs to be considered when charting any policy designed to increase the uptake of zero emission vehicles. This is particularly critical given the low availability and high price points of zero and low emission models in these segments.

“We look forward to working with governments to provide practical guidance on how emissions from light vehicles can be reduced within this context,” he says.

Sales across all States and Territories were up. The ACT increased by 17.3% with 1305 vehicles sold; New South Wales, 10.2 per cent (26,869); Victoria, 24.5% (23,283); Queensland, 16.7 per cent (18,850); the NT, 13.1 per cent (726); South Australia, 12.4% (5564); Tasmania, 25.1% (1652); and Western Australia, 22.5% (9050).

Toyota led the market with a total of 18,259 vehicles sold. Ford was second with 7823, followed by Kia (6380), Mitsubishi (5982) and Hyundai (5289).