VFACTS: December 2023

The Australian automotive market reached a significant milestone, setting an all-time record for new vehicle sales with 1,216,780 vehicles sold in 2023, surpassing the previous high of 1,189,116 in 2017. The 2023 figure represents a 12.5 per cent increase on 2022 numbers and a 2.3 per cent increase on the previous high.  

In December 2023, the market reported sales of 98,544 new vehicles. This figure represents a 12.1 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2022. However, it is a 4.2 per cent decrease from the December record of 102,820 new vehicles sold in 2017. 

Tony Weber, the Chief Executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) said, 

“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.” 

Image source: CarExpert 

Sales by Brands 

Japanese automotive giant Toyota, continued its dominance in the new car market, retaining its position as the top-selling brand for the 21st consecutive year – Toyota has led the market for 27 years since 1991. In 2023, Toyota reported a total of 215,240 sales, boasting its popularity and leadership in the industry, the figure is 9.9 per cent lower than it’s record of 238,983 sales, which was set in 2008.  

Mazda maintained its position as the second highest-selling car brand in Australia. Mazda achieved a total of 100,008 sales, marking a 4.5 per cent increase on 2022 figures. Ford secured third place with 87,800 sales, a significant increase of 31.8 per cent.  

In a closely contested race between South Korean automotive siblings, Kia inched ahead of Hyundai for the second consecutive year. With Kia leading Hyundai by only 987 sales. This margin is significantly slimmer compared to the 4,985 sales gap between them in 2022. Hyundai’s late surge in sales contributed to this reduced difference, indicating a strong competitive performance from both brands in the market. 

Image source: CarSales

Sales by Models in December 

The Ford Ranger led the automotive market in December 2023 with a significant sales boost. It recorded 7,767 sales, marking a substantial 67 per cent increase from December 2022. Ford reported 63,356 Ranger utes sold all up in 2023, up 33.4 per cent on the prior year. Following closely, the Toyota HiLux secured the second position with 5,143 units sold, a 20 per cent increase from the previous year. Toyota HiLux deliveries tallied 61,111 in 2023, down 5.1 per cent on the overall 2022 figure.  
The Isuzu D-Max came in third with 2,833 sales. In fourth place was the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, with 2,475 units sold; followed by the Toyota RAV4 placed fifth with 2,192 sold in December 2023.  

Image source: InsideEVs

EV, Hybrids & PHEVs 

Notably in the eighth position, Tesla experienced the most significant growth among the Top 10 automotive brands. The company reported 46,116 electric car deliveries, which is a substantial 135.4% increase compared to the previous year. These high numbers were largely driven by a full calendar year of sales for Tesla’s top-selling Model Y SUV, which alone accounted for 28,769 deliveries. Tesla’s impressive growth underscores the increasing popularity and market demand for electric vehicles, with the Model Y playing a pivotal role in this success.

Additionally, the market for electric vehicles is expanding, with battery electric vehicles accounting for 7.2% of total sales. Combined, battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid vehicles represented 16.2% of new vehicle sales, totalling to 196,868 units. 

Top 10 Car Brands in December 2023 

 
Top 10 Cars in December 2023 

Top 10 Cars in 2023 

Top 10 Car Brands in 2023