A total of 81,065 vehicles were sold in April 2022, bringing the year-to-date total to 343,501. This result represents a decrease of 12.2 per cent on the same month in 2021, when 92,347 vehicles were sold. It is also the worst result since the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, when just 38,322 cars were reported sold in April that year – fewer than any other April since World War II.
FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said,
“We know this is not a reflection on the demand for new vehicles in the marketplace. This is a reflection on the global automotive industry’s ability to supply vehicles to not only the Australian market, but all markets throughout the world.”
According to industry experts, the slump has been driven by severe microprocessor scarcity causing stock shortages that continue to cripple the automotive industry.
“Automotive manufacturers continue to suffer from a shortage of microprocessor units which is impacting their ability to ramp up production to pre-pandemic levels. Covid-19 continues to impact manufacturing and supply, particularly where factories have been forced to close and shipping operations are yet to fully recover. This is being reflected in the extended delivery times for new vehicles,” Mr Weber added.
Demand continues to significantly outweigh the supply, with wait times for most manufacturers between three and 14 months. The latest estimates show that the shortages of new cars could extend for the next 12 to 18 months.
Sales Results
Toyota maintained pole position in April, with 17,956 sales taking 22 per cent of the total market. Mazda placed second with 7378 sales, Mitsubishi third with 6463, followed by Kia with 6180, and Hyundai with 5552.
Brands that showed growth include Citroen up 666.7 per cent, Renault up 103 per cent, Ram Trucks (right hand drive converted) up 86.4 percent and Chevrolet (also RHD converted) was up 62.2 percent in April sales.
Brands that had suffered in April include, Subaru down 52.3 per cent, Volkswagen down 44.9 per cent, Peugeot down 44.4 per cent, Jeep was down 42.4 per cent and Nissan down 41.4 per cent.
Utes were the country’s favourite vehicle type purchased in April with the Top 10 selling vehicles both 4×4 and 4×2 variants comprising of the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, and Mitsubishi Triton.
State Sales Statistics – compared to April 2021 figures
- · Australian Capital Territory was down 14.9 per cent (1,201 vehicles)
- · New South Wales was down 12.7 per cent (25,432 vehicles)
- · Northern Territory was down 4.8 per cent (848 vehicles)
- · Queensland was down 11.2 per cent (17,424 vehicles)
- · South Australia was down by 6.2 per (5,459 vehicles)
- · Tasmania was down 7.9 per cent (1,466 vehicles)
- · Victoria was down 11 per cent (21,339 vehicles)
- · Western Australia was down 20.4 per cent (7,896 vehicles)
TOP 10 CARS IN APRIL 2022
| Rank | Model | Volume April 2022 | Change year-on-year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota HiLux | 4493 | up 6.4 per cent |
| 2 | Ford Ranger | 3581 | down 28.7 per cent |
| 3 | Toyota RAV4 | 3373 | down 25.2 per cent |
| 4 | Mazda CX-5 | 2701 | up 14.8 per cent |
| 5 | Isuzu D-Max | 2374 | up 18.8 per cent |
| 6 | Mitsubishi Triton | 2357 | down 4.2 per cent |
| 7 | Toyota Corolla | 2202 | up 6.2 per cent |
| 8 | Hyundai i30 | 2071 | up 3.3 per cent |
| 9 | MG ZS | 1923 | up 42.4 per cent |
| 10 | Toyota Prado | 1631 | up 19.1 per cent |
TOP 10 CAR BRANDS IN APRIL 2022
| Rank | Brand | Volume April 2022 | Change year-on-year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota | 17,956 | down 11.1 per cent |
| 2 | Mazda | 7378 | down 26.6 per cent |
| 3 | Mitsubishi | 6463 | down 14 per cent |
| 4 | Kia | 6180 | up 8.3 per cent |
| 5 | Hyundai | 5552 | down 3.8 per cent |
| 6 | Ford | 4974 | down 30.4 per cent |
| 7 | MG | 4773 | up 58.7 per cent |
| 8 | Isuzu | 3032 | up 6.4 per cent |
| 9 | Mercedes-Benz Cars | 2307 | up 7.3 per cent |
| 10 | Nissan | 2050 | down 41.4 per cent |
