VFACTS: April 2023 new car sales results in Australia

Toyota has done it again, topping the sales charts for another month, according to the 2023 April VFACTS report by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries in Australia, which counts new vehicle registrations.

Kicking off, what are the most popular new vehicle brands in terms of the most new vehicle registrations in Australia for the month of April? Toyota stands proud at the top, followed by the usual Mazda, but then Kia pushed down Ford to take third compared with March 2023. Here is the top 10 list, including a percentage change over the same month last year:

1. Toyota: 12,029 (-33.0% on April 2022)
2. Mazda: 6926 (-6.1%)
3. Kia: 6200 (+0.3%)
4. Hyundai: 5732 (+3.2%)
5. Ford: 5047 (+1.5%)
6. Mitsubishi: 4440 (-31.3%)
7. Tesla: 3676 (+999%)
8. MG: 3463 (-27.4%)
9. Nissan: 3009 (+46.8%)
10. Volkswagen: 2957 (+71.8%)

As for the most popular vehicle models in Australia during the month of April? The Ford Ranger came through with the goods, overtaking the long-standing leader, the Toyota HiLux. It just outsold the HiLux but it might last, as Toyota is facing pretty big production delays at the moment and the new Ranger has become a very popular model.

Further down, we notice two Teslas are in the top 10, perhaps proving a stable income of deliveries and supply from the US brand. The Hyundai Tucson also joins the list, and the Toyota RAV4 moved right up to third sport. Here are the top 10 best-sellers, including the percentage change compared with the same month last year:

1. Ford Ranger: 3567 (-0.4%)
2. Toyota HiLux: 3526 (-21.5%)
3. Toyota RAV4: 2198 (-34.8%)
4. Tesla Model Y: 2095 (N/A)
5. Hyundai i30: 2029 (-2.0%)
6. Mitsubishi Outlander: 1829 (+68.4%)
7. Isuzu D-Max: 1809 (-23.8%)
8. Hyundai Tucson: 1678 (+90.2%)
9. MG ZS: 1588 (-17.4%)
10. Tesla Model 3: 1581 (2940.4%)

Moving into the segments, the small under $40,000 segment was dominated by the Hyundai i30 in April. We’re guessing Hyundai received a large shipment of orders for the month, pushing its new registrations well above the popular Toyota Corolla.

As of April 2023, nine vehicles are listed in this category. These are the results, with the percentage change compared with April last year in brackets:

1. Hyundai i30: 2029 (-2.0%)
2. Mazda3: 845 (+220.1%)
3. Toyota Corolla: 791 (-64.1%)
4. Kia Cerato: 517 (-48.7%)
5. Subaru Impreza: 423 (+164.4%)
6. Skoda Scala: 50 (+100%)
7. Toyota Prius: 0 (-100%)
8. Hyundai Ioniq: 0 (-100%)
9. Toyota Prius V: 0 (-100%)

Over into the small above $40,000 segment. it was led by the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. It edged out in front of the BMW 1 Series; last month’s leader. Interestingly, the VW Golf moved up into third spot, while the WRX moved right up into second place from sixth in March.

At the time of writing, this class features 16 vehicles. Here are the standings for April 2023, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year:

1. Mercedes-Benz A-Class: 243 (-9.0%)
2. Subaru WRX: 176 (+179.4%)
3. Volkswagen Golf: 137 (+128.3%)
4. Audi A3: 132 (+53.5%)
5. BMW 1 Series: 120 (+14.3%)
6. Honda Civic: 99 (+62.3%)
7. BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: 65 (+54.8%)
8. Nissan Leaf: 21 (-38.2%) / Cupra Born: 21 (new vehicle)
9. Peugeot 308: 19 (new vehicle)
10. Cupra Leon: 18 (new vehicle)
11. Mercedes-Benz B-Class: 13 (+160.0%)
12. MINI Clubman: 3 (-87.0%)
13. Ford Focus: 0 (-100%)
14. Renault Megane: 3 (-62.5%)
15. BMW i3: 0 (-100%)

Into the medium below $60,000 segment, and Toyota Camry sales lead the way once again while the remainder dwindle in the shadows. Unfortunately, this segment will probably only get smaller as buyers shift toward SUVs and utes.

At the time of writing, this class shows six vehicle models listed. Here are the results, with the percentage change compared with April 2022 in brackets:

1. Toyota Camry: 574 (+10.6%)
2. Mazda6: 145 (+7.4%)
3. Skoda Octavia: 97 (-46.7%)
4. Volkswagen Passat: 61 (+84.8%)
5. Hyundai Sonata: 22 (-40.5%)
6. Honda Accord: 10 (+66.7%)

Jumping into the medium above $60,000 segment, and it was obviously the Tesla Model 3 at the top. Considering it was in the top 10 overall models as highlighted above. It suggests there is a strong demand for EVs in Australia at the moment.

At the time of writing 19 vehicles are listed in this category. Here are the results, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

1. Tesla Model 3: 1581 (+999%)
2. BMW 3 Series: 247 (+16.5%)
3. Mercedes-Benz C-Class: 197 (-58.7%)
4. Mercedes-Benz CLA: 135 (+4.7%)
5. Lexus ES: 134 (+157.7%)
6. Polestar 2: 122 (+31.2%)
7. BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe: 108 (-5.3%)
8. Hyundai IONIQ 6: 89 (new vehicle)
9. Audi A4: 50 (-13.8%) / Volkswagen Arteon: 50 (+177.8%)
10. Audi A5 Sportback: 25 (-49.0%)
11. Jaguar XE: 17 (+750%) / Volvo S60: 17 (-63.0%)
12. Volvo V60 Cross Country: 15 (+7.1%) / Peugeot 508: 15 (+275%)
13. Genesis G70: 12 (+100%)
14. BMW i4: 9 (-25.0%)
15. Alfa Romeo Giulia: 7 (-58.8%)
16. Lexus IS: 0 (-100%)

Although we love this category of car, once home to the honourable Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore, the large below $70,000 segment is shrinking and is likely to soon disappear.

Holding it together are the Kia Stinger, Skoda Superb, and Citroen C5 X – the only models listed. Here are their results for April 2023, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

1. Kia Stinger: 233 (-26.3%)
2. Skoda Superb: 14 (-82.3%)
3. Citroen C5 X: 10 (new vehicle)

Following up is the premium large above $70,000 segment. This isn’t doing so bad, with decent sales and some increases compared with last year. The class was led by the electric Mercedes-Benz EQE in April.

At the time of writing, 12 vehicles are listed in this category. Here are the results, with the percentage change compared with April last year in brackets:

1. Mercedes-Benz EQE: 54 (new vehicle)
2. Mercedes-Benz E-Class: 49 (+308.3%)
3. Audi e-tron GT: 43 (new vehicle)
4. BMW 5 Series: 41 (+64.0%)
5. Porsche Taycan: 27 (-53.4%)
6. Audi A6: 19 (-26.9%)
7. Genesis G80: 7 (-22.2%)
8. Audi A7: 2 (-84.6%) / Maserati Ghibli: 2 (-75.0%)
9. Mercedes-Benz CLS: 1 (-90.0%)
10. Jaguar XF: 0 (-100%)
11. Toyota Mirai: 0 (-100%)

Moving across into the upper large above $100,000 segment, and we see the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has overtaken the BMW 7 Series to become king of the road, compared with the previous month. Most sales are quite low here, perhaps as to be expected.

According to the VFACTS chart, 12 vehicles compete in this class. Here are the results, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

1. Mercedes-Benz S-Class: 7 (-50.0%)
2. BMW 7 Series: 5 (-37.5%)
3. Mercedes EQS: 4 (new vehicle)
4. BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe: 3 (-50.0%) / BMW i7: 3 (new vehicle)
5. Audi A8: 2 (-33.3%) / Porsche Panamera: 2 (-50.0%)
6. Lexus LS: 1 (0%) / Rolls-Royce sedan: 1 (0%) / Maserati Quattroporte: 1 (0%)
7. Mercedes-AMG GT 4: 0 (0%)
8. Bentley sedan: 0 (-100%)

Into the sports below $80,000 class. Ford takes the cake, followed by the Subaru BRZ. Eight vehicles are listed in April’s VFACTS for this category. Here are the results, with the percentage change compared with April last year in brackets:

1. Ford Mustang: 143 (+47.4%)
2. Subaru BRZ: 113 (+36.1%)
3. Toyota GR86: 78 (new vehicle)
4. BMW 2 Series coupe/convertible: 57 (+171.4%)
5. Mazda MX-5: 24 (-14.3%)
6. MINI Cabrio: 18 (+63.6%)
7. Nissan Z: 16 (new vehicle)
8. Nissan 370Z: 0 (-100%)

Stepping up into the sports above $80,000 segment, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe and convertible win the sales race for the month. Its main rival, the BMW 4 Series, went out to about half as many buyers.

According to the charts, 17 vehicles are listed in this class. Here are the results, with the percentage variance compared with the same month in 2022:

1. Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe/convertible: 82 (+192.9%)
2. BMW 4 Series coupe/convertible: 39 (-32.8%)
3. Chevrolet Corvette: 28 (+180%)
4. Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe/convertible: 22 (+83.3%)
5. Toyota GR Supra: 21 (+31.3%)
6. Porsche Cayman: 14 (+180%)
7. Audi TT: 8 (+300%)
8. Audi A5: 6 (-70%)
9. BMW Z4: 3 (+200%)
10. Porsche Boxster: 2 (-71.4%) / Lotus Emira: 2 (new vehicle)
11. Jaguar F-Type: 1 (-50.0%) / Lexus LC: 1 (-50%)
12. Alpine A110: 0 (-100%)
13. Lexus RC: 0 (0%)
14. Lotus Elise: 0 (-100%)
15. Lotus Exige: 0 (-100%)

Lastly, the flagship sports above $200,000 segment saw the Porsche 911 continue its success as the legendary go-to high-end sports car. Most competitors didn’t come close during April.

The charts show 11 vehicles in this class. Here are the results for April, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

1. Porsche 911: 28 (-30.0%)
2. Aston Martin coupe/convertible: 9 (+50%)
3. BMW 8 Series: 3 (-50.0%)
4. Lamborghini coupe/convertible: 2 (0%)
5. Ferrari coupe/convertible: 1 (-26.7%)
6. Bentley coupe/convertible: 0 (-100.0%)
7. McLaren coupe/convertible: 0 (-100.0%)
8. Maserati coupe/convertible: 0 (-100%)
9. Nissan GT-R: 0 (-100%)
10. Rolls-Royce coupe/convertible: 0 (-100%)
11. Audi R8: 0 (0%)

So, how did the ever-growing SUV classes shape up? As we found out at the beginning, the Toyota RAV4 was the best-selling SUV for the month. It was closely followed by the Tesla Model Y as the best-selling premium SUV.

Here are the results for each SUV category for April 2023, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

Best-selling SUVs – Light

1. Mazda CX-3: 860 (+380.4%)
2. Kia Stonic: 665 (-29.9%)
3. Hyundai Venue: 419 (-27.3%)
4. Suzuki Jimny: 355 (+12%)
5. Volkswagen T-Cross: 342 (+30.3%)
6. Toyota Yaris Cross: 300 (-33.6%)
7. Suzuki Ignis: 179 (+17%)
8. Ford Puma: 161 (-41.9%)
9. Nissan Juke: 104 (-3.7%)
10. Renault Captur: 49 (-42.4%)

Best-selling SUVs – Small below $45,000

1. MG ZS: 1588 (-17.4%)
2. Mazda CX-30: 1291 (+9.9%)
3. Kia Seltos: 998 (+152.7%)
4. Mitsubishi ASX: 767 (-41%)
5. GWM Haval Jolion: 718 (+46.2%)
6. Volkswagen T-Roc: 679 (+426.4%)
7. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: 656 (+40.2%)
8. Hyundai Kona: 584 (-40.4%)
9. Toyota Corolla Cross: 413 (new vehicle)
10. Nissan Qashqai: 394 (0%)
11. Toyota C-HR: 356 (-53.8%)
12. Honda HR-V: 128 (-71.3%)
13. Subaru XV: 116 (-54.5%)
14. Skoda Kamiq: 106 (0%)
15. Jeep Compass: 103 (-6.4%)
16. Renault Arkana: 78 (-16.1%)
17. Suzuki Vitara: 60 (+39.5%)
18. Mazda MX-30: 49 (+104.2%)
19. Suzuki S-Cross: 29 (+625%)
20. Peugeot 2008: 19 (-5.0%)
21. Citroen C4: 4 (-69.2%)
22. GWM Haval H2: 0 (-100%)

Best-selling SUVs – Small above $45,000

1. Volvo XC40: 527 (+35.8%)
2. Audi Q3: 301 (+14.9%)
3. BMW X1: 257 (+31.1%)
4. Lexus UX: 219 (+146.1%)
5. Mercedes-Benz GLA: 188 (-24.8%)
6. Kia Niro: 142 (+46.4%)
7. Volvo C40: 133 (new vehicle)
8. MINI Countryman: 131 (+118.3%)
9. Mercedes-Benz EQA: 71 (+9.2%)
10. Audi Q2: 66 (+106.3%)
11. BMW X2: 19 (-42.4%) / Genesis GV60: 19 (new vehicle)
12. Alfa Romeo Tonale: 12 (new vehicle)
13. Jaguar E-Pace: 1 (-100%)

Best-selling SUVs – Medium below $60,000

1. Toyota RAV4: 2198 (-34.8%)
2. Mitsubishi Outlander: 1829 (+68.4%)
3. Hyundai Tucson: 1678 (+90.2%)
4. Mazda CX-5: 1243 (-54.0%)
5. BYD Atto 3: 1118 (new vehicle)
6. Nissan X-Trail: 1076 (+41.0%)
7. Subaru Forester: 880 (+56.0%)
8. Kia Sportage: 859 (-35.3%)
9. Volkswagen Tiguan: 751 (+643.6%)
10. MG HS: 734 (-40.6%)
11. Honda CR-V: 652 (+23.3%)
12. GWM Haval H6: 620 (+15.9%)
13. Renault Koleos: 363 (+120.0%)
14. GWM Haval H6 GT: 284 (new vehicle)
15. Ford Escape: 189 (+23.5%)
16. Skoda Karoq: 100 (+38.9%)
17. Cupra Formentor: 70 (new vehicle)
18. Peugeot 3008: 46 (+51.9%)
19. SsangYong Korando: 39 (+43.8%)
20. Peugeot 5008: 11 (+83.3%)
21. Citroen C5 Aircross: 9 (+800%)
22. Jeep Cherokee: 1 (-93.3%)

Best-selling SUVs – Medium above $60,000

1. Tesla Model Y: 2095 (new vehicle)
2. Lexus NX: 528 (+200%)
3. Mercedes-Benz GLB: 297 (+170%)
4. Audi Q5: 294 (+10.9%)
5. BMW X3: 263 (-45.5%)
6. Volvo XC60: 256 (-31.9%)
7. Porsche Macan: 235 (-10.6%)
8. Mercedes-Benz GLC: 139 (-29.4%) / Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe: 139 (-29.4%)
9. Genesis GV70: 98 (+553.3%)
10. Range Rover Evoque: 78 (-54.1%)
11. Mercedes-Benz EQB: 71 (new vehicle)
12. BMW X4: 70 (+59.1%)
13. Hyundai IONIQ 5: 64 (+113.3%)
14. Land Rover Discovery Sport: 52 (-52.7%)
15. Cupra Ateca: 50 (new vehicle)
16. Maserati Gracale: 43 (new vehicle)
17. Mercedes-Benz EQC: 29 (-23.7%)
18. Alfa Romeo Stelvio: 5 (-64.3%)
19. Hyundai Nexo: 0 (0)

Best-selling SUVs – Large below $70,000

1. Isuzu MU-X: 1095 (+66.4%)
2. Kia Sorento: 814 (+54.5%)
3. Toyota Prado: 762 (-53.3%)
4. Subaru Outback: 752 (-44.9%)
5. Ford Everest: 677 (-10.7%)
6. Mazda CX-9: 540 (-17.3%)
7. Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace: 344 (+454.8%)
8. Toyota Kluger: 343 (-75.2%)
9. Hyundai Santa Fe: 304 (+49.8%)
10. Mazda CX-8: 266 (-44.5%)
11. Hyundai Palisade: 247 (-5.0%)
12. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: 238 (-78.8%)
13. LDV D90: 237 (-39.4%)
14. Toyota Fortuner: 217 (-46.2%)
15. Nissan Pathfinder: 152 (0%)
16. SsangYong Rexton: 151 (+55.7%)
17. Skoda Kodiaq: 98 (-24.0%)
18. Jeep Wrangler: 87 (+480%)
19. Volkswagen Passat Alltrack: 22 (+633.3%)
20. Mitsubishi Pajero: 4 (+0%)
21. GWM Haval H9: 0 (0)
22. GWM Tank 300: 0 (0)

Best-selling SUVs – Large above $70,000

1. Land Rover Defender: 402 (+164.5%)
2. Lexus RX: 317 (+109.9%)
3. Range Rover Sport: 232 (-96.6%)
4. BMW X5: 216 (+17.4%)
5. Mercedes-Benz GLE: 202 (+13.5%)
6. Kia EV6: 118 (+126.9%)
7. Jeep Grand Cherokee: 103 (-32.2%)
8. Volvo XC90: 96 (+220%)
9. BMW iX: 71 (+787.5%)
10. Volkswagen Touareg: 68 (-11.7%)
11. Porsche Cayenne coupe: 63 (+43.2%)
12. BMW X6: 48 (+20%)
13. Mercedes-Benz GLE coupe: 46 (+17.9%)
14. Audi Q7: 44 (-70.5%)
15. Audi Q8: 40 (+90.5%)
16. Range Rover Velar: 35 (+66.7%)
17. Porsche Cayenne: 28 (-53.3%)
18. Genesis GV80: 24 (+84.6%)
19. Jaguar F-Pace: 15 (-77.3%)
20. Maserati Levante: 12 (-58.6%)
21.  Audi e-tron: 9 (-52.6%)
22. Jaguar I-Pace: 2 (0%)

Best-selling SUVs – Upper large below $120,000

1. Toyota LandCruiser: 830 (+0.1%)
2. Nissan Patrol: 561 (+104%)
3. Land Rover Discovery: 25 (+92.3%)

Best-selling SUVs – Upper large above $120,000

1. Mercedes-Benz GLS: 103 (+102%)
2. BMW X7: 102 (+59.4%)
3. Lexus LX: 74 (-7.5%)
4. Range Rover: 58 (+999%)
5. Mercedes-Benz G-Class: 24 (-14.3%)
6. Aston Martin DBX: 7 (+40%)
7. Rolls-Royce Cullinan: 2 (-60%)
8. Lamborghini Urus: 1 (-88.9%)
9. Bentley Bentayga: 0 (-100%)

As you can probably guess, the utes are among the fastest-growing sales contenders in the industry. Sales easily surpass all vehicle models listed above.

Here are the top 10 best-selling utes in Australia for April 2023, according to VFACTS, including 4×2 and 4×4 combined and the large above $100,000 segment:

1. Ford Ranger: 3567
2. Toyota HiLux: 3526
3. Isuzu D-Max: 1809
4. Mazda BT-50: 1336
5. Mitsubishi Triton: 946
6. LDV T60/T60 EV: 693
7. Nissan Navara: 685
8. Toyota LandCruiser 70: 639
9. GWM Ute: 594
10. RAM 1500: 511

In terms of total new vehicle registrations for the month, VFACTS reports 82,137 units in April 2023. That’s up 1.3 per cent on April 2022, and adds to a year-to-date variance of positive 2.2 per cent.