VFACTS: July 2022

A total of 84,461 new vehicles were sold in July bringing the year-to-date total to 622,319, a 0.4 per cent increase on the same month in 2021. Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Chief Executive, Tony Weber said the relatively flat result compared to this time last year has shown the market has not normalised since the beginning of the pandemic (FCAI 2022).

“Vehicle and component manufacturing operations remain affected by plant shutdowns caused by COVID-19. Logistics, including shipping, remain unpredictable. While small growth on the same month in 2021 is encouraging, we do not expect the supply of vehicles to Australia to stabilise in the near future.” 

Stock shortages and extended waiting lists persist to limit new-car deliveries – particularly for brands including Toyota, continuing to pause production amid COVID-19 outbreaks and other delays from its suppliers. Following stock shortages, the rise in rates has also seen some lenders decline in car finance applications with many buyers now deemed at a higher risk to make repayments.

Sales by Brand

Toyota topped the brand sales charts again and account for one in every five cars sold, reporting 19,565 cars sold in July; showing monthly growth despite wait times of more than 12 months on many of its most popular models.  
 
Mazda recovered to second position on the sales charts, after falling to fourth in June with 7,879 cars reported as sold, down 11.7 per cent compared to the same month last year. Hyundai sold 6,792 cars, up 34.2 per cent in third position, Kia sold a close 6,711, down 20 percent came in fourth. Following Kia, Mitsubishi took the fifth position with 5,611 sales, up 5.8 per cent. 

Sales by Models

The HiLux remains the market’s top-selling car with 6,441 vehicles sold, up 39.7 per cent on the same month in 2021. While its biggest competitor; the Ford Ranger is left in the rear view, sold 2,934 vehicles, was down 27.8 per cent as it transitions to updated models. The Toyota RAV4 held onto third position on the sales charts with 2,437 vehicles sold, up 3.9 per cent followed by the Mazda CX-5, selling 2,346 vehicles, down 1.8 per cent. The Hyundai Tucson dropped back to fifth selling 2,186 cars, up 72.8 per cent in July. 

EVs

Electric vehicles sales grew by 17 per cent versus July 2021 – excluding Tesla, which did not report sales for VFACTS last year. A year-to-date total of 10,289 EVs (including Tesla) have been sold.  

For July, Telsa sold a mere four vehicles, whilst it has reported a total of 4,657 sold so far in 2022. Shipments that arrived recently containing the new Model Y SUV and Model 3s are set to be delivered in the coming days. 

Sales by State

• • South Australia sold 5,649 vehicles, an increase of 13.3 per cent, versus July 2021
• • New South Wales was up by 10.9 per cent, with 26,519 vehicles sold 
• • The ACT, decreased by 16.4 per cent with 1,175 vehicles sold 
• • The Northern Territory was down 16.6 per cent, only 756 vehicles sold
• • Queensland down 1.1 per cent, with 18,900
• • Tasmania down 13.2 per cent, sold 1,327 vehicles
• • Victoria down 5.8 per cent, sold 22,076 vehicles
• • Western Australia down 9.0 per cent with 8,059 vehicles sold

Top 10 cars in July 2022 

Top 10 car brands in July 2022 

Cover image source: Carsales