VFACTS: February 2023

In February 2023, the Australian auto industry saw a 1.8% increase in vehicle deliveries compared to the same month in 2022, with a total of 86,878 vehicles delivered.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries Chief Executive, Tony Weber expressed satisfaction with the highest February results since 2019, especially considering international and local supply limitations.

Electric vehicles (EVs) constituted 6.8% of sales, with 5,932 units sold in February. Weber highlighted that the increasing sales of electric vehicles indicate that Australians will purchase battery EVs when they meet their driving habits, requirements, and financial constraints.

The sales of zero and low emission vehicles, encompassing battery electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles, accounted for 13.9% or 12,102 sales. 

Weber said,

“Growing sales of electric vehicles proves that where a battery electric product exists which suits the driving habits, needs and finances of Australian motorists, they will purchase these vehicles,”

Weber emphasized the growing interest among Australians in eco-friendly vehicles but suggested that Australia should implement a fuel efficiency standard to speed up the transition for a wider consumer base.

“The number of low emission vehicle sales demonstrates that there is an appetite among Australians for environmentally friendly vehicles. However, if we wish to accelerate this transition to a broader range of consumers in all parts of the country, Australia needs to adopt a fuel efficiency standard.”

China supplied 13,625 vehicles in February, making it the third-largest country of origin for new vehicles. Japan and Thailand remained the top two sources, with 24,805 and 18,557 vehicles respectively, while Korea was the fourth-largest source with 12,246 vehicles.

Sales by Brands

Toyota was the market leader with 14,332 vehicles sold, although they saw a large drop of 31.4 per cent versus the same month in 2022. Mazda came in second with 7,667 vehicles sold, down 12.7 per cent, Ford in third with 6,022, up a massive 30.6 per cent, Kia with 6,000 vehicles sold, and Hyundai 5,504 sold.

Sales by Models

The Ford Ranger was the top-selling model with 4,473 units sold for the third month in a row (up 29.5 per cent), followed by Toyota’s Hi-Lux with 3,939 cars sold (it was down by 18 per cent), Tesla’s Model 3 followed with 2,671 sold, then Mazda’s CX-5 with 2,600 and Mitsubishi’s Outlander in fifth with 2,166 cars sold.

Sales by State

Vehicle sales increased in:

• ACT by 7.2% or 1,454 cars
• New South Wales by 4.7%, 27,600 cars
• Northern Territory by 2.8% or 725 cars
• Western Australia by 16.7% or 9,815 cars

In contrast, sales declined in:

• Queensland, 2.8% or 18,427 cars
• South Australia, 4.5% or 5,549 cars
• Tasmania, 9.4% or 1,414 cars
• Victoria, 1.3% or 21,894 cars

Top 10 Cars In February 2023 

Rank	Model	Volume February 2023	Change year-on-year
1	Ford Ranger	4473	up 29.5 per cent
2	Toyota HiLux	3939	down 18 per cent
3	Tesla Model 3	2671	N/A
4	Mazda CX-5	2600	up 105.5 per cent
5	Mitsubishi Outlander	2166	up 29.5 per cent
6	Toyota RAV4	2115	down 52.5 per cent
7	MG ZS	2047	up 4.8 per cent
8	Isuzu D-Max	1931	No change
9	Subaru Forester	1709	up 35.9 per cent
10	MG 3	1622	up 12.9 per cent

Top 10 Brands In February 2023

Rank	Brand	Volume February 2023	Change year-on-year
1	Toyota	14,332	down 31.4 per cent
2	Mazda	7667	down 12.7 per cent
3	Ford	6022	up 30.6 per cent
4	Kia	6000	up 2.0 per cent
5	Hyundai	5504	down 2.6 per cent
6	Mitsubishi	5500	down 29.6 per cent
7	MG	4363	up 15.8 per cent
8	Subaru	4054	up 28.7 per cent
9	Tesla	3516	N/A
10	Isuzu	3156	up 13.3 per cent

Feature image source: Drive