VFACTS: 2025 New Vehicle Sales Remained Consistent
The Australian new vehicle market delivered a solid result in 2025, recording 1,209,808 sales for the calendar year. Although this marked a slight 0.9 per cent decline on 2024 volumes, buyer demand remained consistent – especially across SUVs, utes and lower-emission vehicles.
A 3 per cent year-on-year increase in December sales, with 98,744 new cars sold, signals ongoing confidence, creating continued opportunities for brokers supporting both consumer and commercial clients.
“Consumers are responding to a wide range of models that meet their needs, whether that is family transport, business use or recreation. While overall volumes eased slightly, the market continues to evolve as new technologies become more widely available,” FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said.
Key 2025 Market Highlights
Growth in Hybrid Vehicles
- Plug-in hybrids were the fastest-growing drivetrain, more than doubling sales to 53,484 units – a 130.9 per cent rise compared with 2024.
- Hybrids continued to gain traction and remain the most popular green option, with sales of 199,133 increasing 15.3 per cent year-on-year.
- Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) also expanded with 103,269 units sold, but remain a smaller part of the market at 8.3 per cent share.
These trends show many Australians are favouring practical lower-emission options as a bridge to fully electric driving. Future government policy and supporting infrastructure will shape the uptake of EVs in the coming years.
Market Structure & Consumer Preferences
- SUVs dominate national sales, representing 60.7 per cent of total vehicles sold.
- Passenger car sales continue to decline, while light commercial vehicles also maintain strong relevance in Australia’s utility-oriented market.
- Asian-manufactured vehicles — particularly from Japan, Thailand, China and Korea — made up around 80 per cent of total sales, with China notably consolidating its position as a major source.
“Asian-manufactured vehicles account for four in every five sold in Australia, reflecting deep, mature and integrated supply chains across the region,” Mr Weber said.
Top Sellers & Brand Performance
Australia’s biggest-selling brands in 2025 included:
- Toyota maintaining its leading market share with 19.8 per cent of sales in 2025
- Ford, Mazda, Kia and Hyundai rounding out the top five
- Best-selling models reflected strong preferences for SUVs and utes like the Ford Ranger (56,855) and Toyota RAV4 (51,947) – reinforcing Australia’s distinct market composition.
What does it mean for Asset Finance Brokers
For asset finance brokers, the 2025 VFACTS results reinforce the importance of flexibility and product diversity. With hybrids and plug-in hybrids gaining ground, and SUVs and light commercial vehicles continuing to dominate, client conversations are increasingly focused on running costs, emissions, and business usability.
As the market transitions – rather than rapidly transforms – brokers are well-positioned to add value by guiding customers through funding options that align with both lifestyle and budget goals.
Top 10 Best-Selling Cars – Full Year 2025
| Rank | Model | Volume | Change year-on-year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Ranger | 56,555 | down 9.6 per cent |
| 2 | Toyota RAV4 | 51,947 | down 11.5 per cent |
| 3 | Toyota HiLux | 51,297 | down 4.1 per cent |
| 4 | Isuzu D-Max | 26,839 | down 11.1 per cent |
| 5 | Ford Everest | 26,161 | down 1.3 per cent |
| 6 | Toyota Prado | 26,106 | up 166 per cent |
| 7 | Hyundai Kona | 22,769 | up 31.1 per cent |
| 8 | Mazda CX-5 | 22,742 | down 0.4 per cent |
| 9 | Mitsubishi Outlander | 22,459 | down 18.7 per cent |
| 10 | Tesla Model Y | 22,239 | up 4.6 per cent |
Top 10 Brands – Full Year 2025
| Rank | Brand | Volume | Change year-on-year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota | 239,863 | down 0.6 per cent |
| 2 | Ford | 94,399 | down 5.8 per cent |
| 3 | Mazda | 91,923 | down 4.2 per cent |
| 4 | Kia | 82,105 | up 0.4 per cent |
| 5 | Hyundai | 77,208 | up 7.7 per cent |
| 6 | Mitsubishi | 61,198 | down 17.9 per cent |
| 7 | GWM | 52,809 | up 23.4 per cent |
| 8 | BYD | 52,415 | up 156.2 per cent |
| 9 | Isuzu Ute | 42,297 | down 12.2 per cent |
| 10 | MG | 41,298 | down 18.4 per cent |
Top 11 Best-Selling Cars – December 2025
| Rank | Model | Volume | Change year-on-year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota RAV4 | 6,038 | up 18 per cent |
| 2 | Ford Ranger | 5,430 | up 20.9 per cent |
| 3 | Toyota HiLux | 2,622 | down 21.3 per cent |
| 4 | BYD Sealion 7 | 2,546 | New model |
| 5 | Ford Everest | 2,149 | down 13.2 per cent |
| 6 | Isuzu D-Max | 2,105 | down 11.2 per cent |
| 7 | GWM Haval Jolion | 2,062 | up 21.9 per cent |
| 8 | Mazda CX-5 | 2,021 | up 26.5 per cent |
| 9 | Tesla Model Y | 1,998 | up 7.4 per cent |
| 9 | Chery Tiggo 4 | 1,998 | up 144 per cent |
| 11 | Mitsubishi Outlander | 1,936 | down 2.8 per cent |
Top 10 Brands – December 2025
| Rank | Brand | Volume | Change year-on-year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota | 18,541 | down 0.6 per cent |
| 2 | Ford | 8,541 | up 2.8 per cent |
| 3 | Mazda | 7,562 | up 4.2 per cent |
| 4 | BYD | 6,743 | up 238 per cent |
| 5 | Kia | 6,101 | down 3.2 per cent |
| 6 | Hyundai | 5,640 | up 12.2 per cent |
| 7 | GWM | 4,875 | up 19.7 per cent |
| 8 | Mitsubishi | 4,420 | down 23.2 per cent |
| 9 | Chery | 3,694 | up 96 per cent |
| 10 | Isuzu Ute | 3,462 | down 2.7 per cent |
Source: VFACTS, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries