The global shortage of semiconductors and reduction of car assemblies has finally flowed to the showroom floors across Australia, with 74,650 new vehicles sales reported in October 2021, a decrease of 8.1% on 2020 figures.
Sales in the Australian Capital Territory were down 22.3%, Western Australia down 15.4%, followed by the Northern Territory down 12.4%. NSW recorded a decline of 12.2% and South Australian figures were down 11.9%. Queensland reports a 10.3% decrease with Tasmania, down 1.6% compared to October 2020. Only Victoria saw an increase of 6.3% on 2020 figures.
With 25.2 selling days in October 2021 compared to 26.1 in the same month last year; this equates to a decrease of 149.6 vehicles per day.
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Chief Executive Tony Weber said,
“Automotive manufacturers like all those in the global manufacturing sector are dealing with a microprocessor shortage which is leading to longer wait times to get products to market. Australians are continuing to purchase vehicles, and car makers are working to deliver products to our shores.”
Electric on the rise
Electric vehicle sales are continuing to rise as state and territory incentives become available across the country. A total of 461 pure electric vehicle vehicles (excluding Tesla) were sold in October, ahead of 276 plug-in hybrid models. Hybrid vehicles remain the most popular electric option with 4378 units sold last month.
“We have seen Victoria and NSW release comprehensive legislation to support electric vehicles which was followed just last week by South Australia.”
“All of these jurisdictions worked proactively with industry to provide infrastructure investment and consumer incentives. We look forward to working with Governments at all levels to form nationally consistent policies which will make electric vehicles more accessible to the Australian motorist,”
said Weber.
Sales Results
As usual, Toyota was the market leader in October with 15,395 vehicles sold. Followed by Hyundai with 6,115 and Ford with 5,462; Mazda sold 5,181 cars and Kia followed with 4,853.
The Ford Ranger with 4,135 sold, continued to reign over the Toyota HiLux (3,961). The Toyota LandCruiser was third with 2,031 vehicles in the hands of customers, followed by the Toyota Corolla with 1,989 sold.
Top 10 Models October 2021
| Rank | Brand | Sales |
| 1 | Ford Ranger | 4135 |
| 2 | Toyota HiLux | 3961 |
| 3 | Toyota LandCruiser | 2031 |
| 4 | Toyota Corolla | 1989 |
| 5 | Hyundai i30 | 1946 |
| 6 | Isuzu D-Max | 1694 |
| 7 | Toyota RAV4 | 1670 |
| 8 | Hyundai Tucson | 1532 |
| 9 | Mitsubishi ASX | 1464 |
| 10 | Nissan X-Trail | 1420 |
Top 10 Brands October 2021
| Rank | Brand | Sales | Change year-on-year |
| 1 | Toyota | 15,395 | down 21.1 per cent |
| 2 | Hyundai | 6115 | up 2.8 per cent |
| 3 | Ford | 5462 | down 4.9 per cent |
| 4 | Mazda | 5181 | down 3.5 per cent |
| 5 | Kia | 4853 | down 8.5 per cent |
| 6 | Mitsubishi | 4203 | down 6.8 per cent |
| 7 | Nissan | 3397 | down 4.0 per cent |
| 8 | MG | 3136 | up 86.7 per cent |
| 9 | Volkswagen | 2192 | down 6.4 per cent |
| 10 | Subaru | 2736 | down 5.7 per cent |
