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Australia’s preference for SUVs and Light Commercials grows

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Australia’s preference for SUVs and Light Commercial Vehicles has continued with these two segments making up 80.1 per cent of the 87,299 new vehicles sold during October 2022. 

According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), the Passenger Vehicle segment was 15.3 per cent of monthly sales and the residual sales were Heavy Commercials at 4.7 per cent. 

The monthly result released recently by the FCAI represents a 16.9 per cent increase over the same month last year and brings the year-to-date total to 898,429. However, this increase reflects more on supply issues in October 2021 rather than any substantial market growth in October 2022. 

Total electrified vehicle sales were 10.8 per cent for the month and 10.6 per cent year to date. 

FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said this monthly result was an indication that car companies were making progress on overcoming logistical challenges. 

“Globally, car manufacturers have been heavily impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic. This October figure is a positive sign that supply chains are recovering and consistency is returning to the marketplace, but we still have some way to go before it returns to normal,” Weber said. 

“It is important to note the continuing, strong preference for SUV and Light Commercial vehicles in Australia. Consumer preference for these vehicles needs to be considered when charting any policy designed to increase the uptake of zero emission vehicles. This is particularly critical given the low availability and high price points of zero and low emission models in these segments. 

“We look forward to working with governments to provide practical guidance on how emissions from light vehicles can be reduced within this context.” 

The statistics 

Sales across all states and territories were up. The ACT increased by 17.3 per cent with 1,305 vehicles sold; New South Wales, 10.2 per cent (26,869); Victoria, 24.5 per cent (23,283); Queensland, 16.7 per cent (18,850); the NT, 13.1 per cent (726); South Australia, 12.4 per cent (5,564); Tasmania, 25.1 per cent (1,652); and Western Australia, 22.5% (9,050). 

Toyota led the market with a total of 18,259 vehicles sold. Ford was second with 7,823, followed by Kia (6,380), Mitsubishi (5,982) and Hyundai (5,289). 

The Ford Ranger was the highest selling model with 5,628 sales reported. The Toyota Hi-Lux followed with 4,890. Toyota’s Rav4 was third with 3,222 followed by Mazda’s CX-5 (2,352) and MG’s ZS (2,293). 

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