VFACTS: May 2023 new car sales results in Australia

Once again, Toyota is in front for another month, demolishing the new vehicle registration charts according to the just-released May 2023 VFACTS report. We’ll sometimes call them ‘sales’ for brevity.

It wasn’t just a crown effort for Toyota, the industry overall recorded its best-ever May figures with 105,694 new vehicle registrations. That’s up 12 per cent on May in 2022, and it contributes to a 4.3 per cent increase for the year-to-date comparison (January to end of May) for the industry.

Starting with the most popular new vehicle brands for the month of May, it was of course Toyota at the top. It reported 18,340 sales, which was more than double its nearest competitor, Mazda. Elsewhere in the top 10 we see Isuzu Ute has jumped into 9th spot, nudging out Volkswagen compared with April figures. Here is the top 10 list, including the percentage change from the same month last year:

1. Toyota: 18,340 (-19.6% on May 2022)
2. Mazda: 8475 (+30.9%)
3. Hyundai: 7078 (+0.2%)
4. Kia: 7000 (-4.2%)
5. Ford: 6251 (+19.5%)
6. MG: 4828 (+18.8%)
7. Mitsubishi: 4583 (-24.7%)
8. Tesla: 4476 (+999%)
9. Isuzu: 3481 (-0.4%)
10. Nissan: 3085 (+3.9%)

In terms of the most popular vehicle models in Australia during the month of May, the Toyota HiLux is back into its usual front-running position, reclaiming top spot from the Ford Ranger the previous month. Interestingly, the Tesla Model Y jumped into third spot in May, as it creeps its way up to the top scorers. Here are the top 10 best-sellers, including the percentage change compared with the same month last year:

1. Toyota HiLux: 5772 (-11.5%)
2. Ford Ranger: 4110 (-9.6%)
3. Tesla Model Y: 3178 (N/A)
4. Toyota RAV4: 2616 (-33.4%)
5. MG ZS: 2502 (+42.3%)
6. Isuzu D-Max: 2371 (-2.5%)
7. Toyota LandCruiser: 2303 (-13.6%)
8. Hyundai i30: 2163 (-2.0%)
9. Hyundai Tucson: 1911 (+11.7%)
10. Mitsubishi Outlander: 1880 (+4.5%)

Zooming in on the specific car categories, the small under $40,000 segment was led by the Hyundai i30 once again, beating the ever-popular Toyota Corolla. This segment is seeing a decline in recent times with year-to-date sales down by 31 per cent as of the end of May.

During May 2023, nine vehicles were listed in this category. These are the results, with the percentage change compared with May last year in brackets:

1. Hyundai i30: 2163 (+6.7%)
2. Toyota Corolla: 1386 (-58.1%)
3. Mazda3: 779 (+117.6%)
4. Kia Cerato: 552 (-55.4%)
5. Subaru Impreza: 249 (+3.3%)
6. Skoda Scala: 65 (+195.5%)
7. Hyundai Ioniq: 0 (-100%)
8. Toyota Prius: 0 (-100%)
9. Toyota Prius V: 0 (-100%)

Stepping up to the small above $40,000 segment, and it was the iconic Subaru WRX that led the field, paired with the Mercedes A-Class. This left the Audi A3 to come in as second favourite.

The segment is experiencing a 63.3 per cent increase in sales across YTD. At the time of writing, this class features 16 vehicles. Here are the results for May 2023, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year:

1. Mercedes-Benz A-Class: 211 (+21.3%) / Subaru WRX: 211 (+179.4%)
2. Audi A3: 207 (+195.7%)
3. Volkswagen Golf: 189 (-32.5%)
4. BMW 1 Series: 159 (+42.0%)
5. Honda Civic: 65 (-33.7%)
6. BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: 74 (-30.8%)
7. Cupra Born: 59 (new vehicle)
8. Nissan Leaf: 56 (+21.7%)
9. Cupra Leon: 42 (new vehicle)
10. Peugeot 308: 22 (new vehicle)
11. MINI Clubman: 21 (-40.0%)
12. Renault Megane: 8 (-20.0%)
13. Mercedes-Benz B-Class: 7 (-69.6%)
14. Ford Focus: 4 (+300%)
15. GWM Ora – 3 (new vehicle)
16. BMW i3: 0 (-100%)

Across in the medium below $60,000 segment, the Toyota Camry claimed top spot again, with the Mazda6 and Skoda Octavia making up most of the remaining total sales.

Speaking of which, this class is experiencing a 25.6 per cent decline in overall figures through YTD. At the time of writing, this class features six vehicle models. Here are the results, with the percentage change compared with May 2022 in brackets:

1. Toyota Camry: 864 (+52.1%)
2. Mazda6: 149 (+204.1%)
3. Skoda Octavia: 131 (+18.0%)
4. Volkswagen Passat: 68 (+41.7%)
5. Hyundai Sonata: 41 (+95.2%)
6. Honda Accord: 5 (-28.6%)

Over in the medium above $60,000 segment, and we see the Tesla Model 3 is still charging ahead. The veteran German rivals simply can’t keep up. At the time of writing 19 vehicles are listed in this segment. Here are the results, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

1. Tesla Model 3: 1298 (+999%)
2. BMW 3 Series: 405 (+55.2%)
3. Mercedes-Benz C-Class: 330 (-15.2%)
4. Polestar 2: 226 (+47.7%)
5. Lexus ES: 216 (+323.5%)
6. BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe: 108 (-18.2%)
7. Mercedes-Benz CLA: 104 (-13.3%)
8. Audi A4: 75 (+70.5%)
9. Volkswagen Arteon: 65 (+140.7%)
10. Hyundai IONIQ 6: 61 (new vehicle)
11. Audi A5 Sportback: 43 (+87.0%)
12. BMW i4: 26 (-46.9%)
13. Volvo V60 Cross Country: 25 (+8.7%)
14. Alfa Romeo Giulia: 13 (-18.8%)
15. Jaguar XE: 11 (-35.3%)
16. Volvo S60: 5 (-77.3%)
17. Peugeot 508: 2 (-88.2%)
18. Genesis G70: 0 (-100%)
19. Lexus IS: 0 (-100%)

In the dwindling large below $70,000 segment only the Kia Stinger is holding it together. The segment is experiencing a 18.1 per cent drop YTD, and a more concerning 32.1 per cent decline compared with May last year. Here are the results for May 2023, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

1. Kia Stinger: 317 (-25.9%)
2. Skoda Superb: 20 (-74.7%)
3. Citroen C5 X: 7 (new vehicle)

Next up, the luxury-focused large above $70,000 segment. It is actually experiencing a 21 per cent increase in figures across YTD, and even up 33.1 per cent compared with last May.

It’s currently being led by the Mercedes-Benz EQE fully electric sedan, in terms of both May and so far this year. It figures are 65 and 199, respectively. The next-closest for YTD is the Audi e-tron GT – also an EV – with 166 units, and then the Mercedes E-Class with 162 units.

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

1. Mercedes-Benz EQE: 65 (new vehicle)
2. Mercedes-Benz E-Class: 48 (+128.6%)
3. Porsche Taycan: 42 (0% change)
4. BMW 5 Series: 24 (-48.9%)
5. Audi A6: 18 (-37.9%)
6. Audi e-tron GT: 16 (new vehicle)
7. Maserati Ghibli: 5 (-44.4%)
8. Genesis G80: 2 (-75.0%) / Audi A7: 2 (-66.7%) / Jaguar XF: 2 (0% change)
9. Mercedes-Benz CLS: 1 (-75.0%)
10. Toyota Mirai: 0 (-100%)

Stepping up into the world of VIP cars, it’s the upper large above $100,000 segment. This area was led by the Porsche Panamera in May. In fact, sales are up significantly from the 1 unit it sold in May last year.

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

1. Porsche Panamera: 14 (+999%)
2. BMW 7 Series: 9 (+80%%)
3. Mercedes-Benz S-Class: 7 (-36.4%)
4. BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe: 6 (+100%)
5. Rolls-Royce sedan: 5 (+400%)
6. BMW i7: 3 (new vehicle) / Lexus LS: 3 (0%)
7. Bentley sedan: 2 (+100%)
8. Mercedes EQS: 1 (-83.3%) / Audi A8: 1 (new vehicle)
9. Maserati Quattroporte: 0 (-100%)
10. Mercedes-AMG GT 4: 0 (0%)

Over in the fun-loving sports below $80,000 class, the mighty Ford Mustang wins the race in May. There is a new model just around the corner which could see a healthy spike in sales later this year.

Following up the Mustang was the BMW 2 Series which is reporting a whopping 755 per cent growth compared with last year. This is likely due to the new model arriving within that 12-month period.

At the time of writing there are eight vehicles listed in this category in VFACTS. Here are the results, with the percentage change compared with May last year in brackets:

1. Ford Mustang: 309 (+494.2%)
2. BMW 2 Series coupe/convertible: 171 (+755%)
3. Subaru BRZ: 135 (+60.7%)
4. Toyota GR86: 101 (new vehicle)
5. Nissan Z: 31 (new vehicle)
6. Mazda MX-5: 30 (+3.4%)
7. MINI Cabrio: 16 (-51.5%)
8. Nissan 370Z: 0 (-100%)

Into the more serious stuff, with the sports above $80,000 segment, and yet again it’s the Mercedes C-Class two-door models that win most sales. Its main rival, the BMW 4 Series, wasn’t too far behind in May, with the Corvette and Porsche Cayman tying for third.

According to the stats, there are 18 vehicles 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: 92 (+162.9%)
2. BMW 4 Series coupe/convertible: 75 (-39.0%)
3. Chevrolet Corvette: 33 (+320%) / Porsche Cayman: 33 (+175%)
4. Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe/convertible: 26 (+100%)
5. Audi A5: 17 (-142.9%) / Porsche Boxster: 17 (112.5%)
6. Toyota GR Supra: 21 (-4.5%)
7. Lotus Emira: 10 (new vehicle)
8. Audi TT: 8 (+60%) / BMW Z4: 8 (0%)
9. Jaguar F-Type: 3 (-57.1%) / Lexus LC: 3 (-50%)
10. Alfa Romeo 4C: 0 (-100%)
11. Alpine A110: 0 (0%)
12. Lexus RC: 0 (0%)
13. Lotus Elise: 0 (-100%)
14. Lotus Exige: 0 (-100%)

At the top end of the sports cars in the flagship sports above $200,000 segment, the Porsche 911 remains the king of the empire. Its sales are 23.1 per cent for the month, but down 15.8 per cent YTD. Ferrari sales are also going strong, up 78.6 per cent for the month.

This month the chart shows 12 vehicles in the class. Here are the results for May, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

1. Porsche 911: 64 (+23.1%)
2. Ferrari coupe/convertible: 25 (+78.6%)
3. Bentley coupe/convertible: 18 (+260%)
4. McLaren coupe/convertible: 16 (100.0%)
5. Lamborghini coupe/convertible: 12 (0%)
6. BMW 8 Series: 5 (0%)
7. Aston Martin coupe/convertible: 4 (-60%)
8. Maserati coupe/convertible: 2 (-50%) / Mercedes-Benz SL: 2 (new vehicle)
9. Nissan GT-R: 0 (-100%)
10. Rolls-Royce coupe/convertible: 0 (-100%)
11. Audi R8: 0 (0%)

What about the ever-attractive SUV classes then? Well, the most popular for the month overall was the Tesla Model Y, which ended up being the third best-selling vehicle outright. That takes the cake as the most popular premium SUV obviously, while the Toyota RAV4 was the favourite non-premium SUV.

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

Best-selling SUVs – Light

1. Mazda CX-3: 1203 (+143%)
2. Kia Stonic: 873 (-21.8%)
3. Suzuki Jimny: 748 (+91.8%)
4. Hyundai Venue: 640 (+10%)
5. Volkswagen T-Cross: 467 (+7.4%)
6. Toyota Yaris Cross: 339 (-41.1%)
7. Ford Puma: 253 (125.9%)
8. Suzuki Ignis: 201 (+11%)
9. Nissan Juke: 108 (-9.2%)
10. Renault Captur: 194 (+79.6%)

Best-selling SUVs – Small below $45,000

1. MG ZS: 2502 (+42.3%)
2. Mazda CX-30: 1169 (-0.5%)
3. Kia Seltos: 1148 (+70.3%)
4. Subaru Crosstrek: 1126 (new vehicle, replaces XV)
5. GWM Haval Jolion: 1076 (+94.9%)
6. Volkswagen T-Roc: 950 (+999%)
7. Hyundai Kona: 810 (-38.3%)
8. Chery Omoda 5: 583 (new vehicle)
9. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: 570 (+31.3%)
10. Mitsubishi ASX: 549 (-28.9%)
11. Nissan Qashqai: 469 (+999%)
12. Toyota C-HR: 448 (-44.7%)
13. Toyota Corolla Cross: 421 (new vehicle)
14. Skoda Kamiq: 163 (+45.9%)
15. Renault Arkana: 152 (-23.6%)
16. Jeep Compass: 141 (-43.4%)
17. Honda HR-V: 84 (-81%)
18. Suzuki Vitara: 73 (-72.1%)
19. Suzuki S-Cross: 59 (+999%)
20. Mazda MX-30: 50 (+13.6%)
21. Peugeot 2008: 16 (-65.2%)
22. Subaru XV: 8 (-99.3%)
23. Citroen C4: 6 (-53.8%)
24. GWM Haval H2: 0 (-100%)

Best-selling SUVs – Small above $45,000

1. Volvo XC40: 619 (+1.0%)
2. Audi Q3: 450 (+65.4%)
3. BMW X1: 441 (+11.4%)
4. Lexus UX: 370 (+252.4%)
5. Mercedes-Benz GLA: 173 (-49.6%)
6. Volvo C40: 165 (new vehicle)
7. MINI Countryman: 164 (+0.6%)
8. Kia Niro: 158 (+58%)
9. Mercedes-Benz EQA: 124 (+287.5%)
10. Audi Q2: 106 (+606.7%)
11. Genesis GV60: 24 (new vehicle)
12. BMW X2: 19 (-57.8%) / Alfa Romeo Tonale: 19 (new vehicle)
13. Jaguar E-Pace: 0 (-100%)

Best-selling SUVs – Medium below $60,000

1. Toyota RAV4: 2616 (-33.4%)
2. Hyundai Tucson: 1911 (+11.7%)
3. Mitsubishi Outlander: 1880 (+4.5%)
4. Mazda CX-5: 1846 (-5.2%)
5. BYD Atto 3: 1448 (new vehicle)
6. Kia Sportage: 1125 (-23.2%)
7. Nissan X-Trail: 1050 (+43.4%)
8. Subaru Forester: 1045 (+23.4%)
9. GWM Haval H6: 835 (+49.1%)
10. MG HS: 818 (-22.5%)
11. Volkswagen Tiguan: 713 (+173.2%)
12. Honda CR-V: 581 (+32.5%)
13. GWM Haval H6 GT: 370 (new vehicle)
14. Ford Escape: 321 (+148.8%)
15. Renault Koleos: 303 (+25.7%)
16. Cupra Formentor: 153 (new vehicle)
17. Skoda Karoq: 99 (+130.2%)
18. Honda ZR-V: 79 (new vehicle)
19. SsangYong Korando: 69 (+50%)
20. Peugeot 3008: 53 (+23.3%)
21. Peugeot 5008: 18 (-18.2%)
22. Citroen C5 Aircross: 6 (-66.7%)
23. Jeep Cherokee: 0 (-100%)

Best-selling SUVs – Medium above $60,000

1. Tesla Model Y: 3178 (new vehicle)
2. Lexus NX: 549 (+137.7%)
3. Audi Q5: 451 (+40.5%)
4. Porsche Macan: 393 (+71.6%)
5. BMW X3: 339 (-28.0%)
6. Volvo XC60: 270 (-12.1%)
7. Mercedes-Benz GLC: 219 (-29.8%)
8. Mercedes-Benz GLB: 217 (+33.1%)
9. Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe: 153 (-12.1%)
10. Genesis GV70: 127 (+296.9%)
11. Mercedes-Benz EQB: 71 (new vehicle)
12. Maserati Gracale: 66 (new vehicle)
13. Range Rover Evoque: 65 (-80.6%)
14. BMW X4: 54 (-52.2%)
15. Hyundai IONIQ 5: 45 (-19.6%)
16. Lexus RZ: 44 (new vehicle)
17. Mercedes-Benz EQC: 35 (+118.8%)
18. Mazda CX-60: 28 (new vehicle
19. Alfa Romeo Stelvio: 25 (-3.8%)
20. Land Rover Discovery Sport: 22 (-67.6%)
21. Cupra Ateca: 6 (new vehicle)
22. Hyundai Nexo: 0 (0)

Best-selling SUVs – Large below $70,000

1. Toyota Prado: 1435 (-34.6%)
2. Isuzu MU-X: 1110 (+4.6%)
3. Ford Everest: 812 (-19.9%)
4. Subaru Outback: 790 (-35%)
5. Kia Sorento: 694 (-13.1%)
6. Toyota Kluger: 671 (-55.2%)
7. Hyundai Santa Fe: 635 (+15%)
8. Mazda CX-9: 585 (+4.5%)
9. Mazda CX-8: 470 (-12.6%)
10. Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace: 399 (+16.3%)
11. Hyundai Palisade: 397 (-38.3%)
12. Toyota Fortuner: 368 (-22.9%)
13. LDV D90: 295 (-38.2%)
14. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: 261 (-72.1%)
15. SsangYong Rexton: 199 (+29.2%)
16. Nissan Pathfinder: 189 (new vehicle)
17. Skoda Kodiaq: 179 (+10.5%)
18. Jeep Wrangler: 108 (-12.9%)
19. Volkswagen Passat Alltrack: 19 (+850%)
20. Mitsubishi Pajero: 0 (-100%)
21. GWM Tank 300: 2 (0)
22. GWM Haval H9: 0 (0)

Best-selling SUVs – Large above $70,000

1. Lexus RX: 489 (+128.5%)
2. Land Rover Defender: 471 (+447.7%)
3. Mercedes-Benz GLE: 325 (+46.4%)
4. Range Rover Sport: 299 (+71.8%)
5. BMW X5: 203 (-47.5%)
6. Jeep Grand Cherokee: 130 (+60.5%)
7. Volvo XC90: 121 (-22.4%)
8. Audi Q7: 117 (+82.8%)
9. Kia EV6: 104 (+160%)
10. BMW iX: 86 (+138.9%)
11. Range Rover Velar: 81 (+170%)
12. Porsche Cayenne Coupe: 80 (+81.8%) / Mercedes-Benz GLE coupe: 80 (+40.4%)
13. Volkswagen Touareg: 77 (13.2%)
14. Audi Q8: 51 (+27.5%)
15. Porsche Cayenne: 42 (-52.3%)
16. BMW X6: 40 (-61.9%)
17. Genesis GV80: 35 (0%)
18. Jaguar F-Pace: 27 (+8.0%)
19.  Audi e-tron: 14 (+75%)
20. Maserati Levante: 10 (-68.8%)
21. Jaguar I-Pace: 3 (0%)

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

1. Toyota LandCruiser: 1364 (+0.1%)
2. Nissan Patrol: 501 (-41.5%)
3. Land Rover Discovery: 56 (+522.2%)

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

1. Lexus LX: 120 (71.4%)
2. Range Rover: 107 (+999%)
3. Mercedes-Benz GLS: 95 (+48.4%)
4. BMW X7: 57 (-47.7%)
5. Mercedes-Benz G-Class: 32 (-68.9%)
6. Lamborghini Urus: 18 (0%)
7. Bentley Bentayga: 18 (+20%)
8. BMW XM: 17 (new vehicle)
9. Aston Martin DBX: 5 (+400%)
10. Rolls-Royce Cullinan: 1 (-66.7%)

Lastly, the utes. These are one of the most popular vehicle types in the country, with two placed at the front end of the industry for outright sales.

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

1. Toyota HiLux: 5772
2. Ford Ranger: 4110
3. Isuzu D-Max: 2371
4. Mazda BT-50: 1788
5. Mitsubishi Triton: 1323
6. GWM Ute: 955
7. Toyota LandCruiser 70: 939
8. LDV T60/T60 EV: 827
9. RAM 1500: 696
10. Nissan Navara: 681

In terms of total new vehicle registrations for the month, VFACTS reports 105,694 units in May 2023. That’s up 12 per cent on May 2022, and adds to a year-to-date increase of 4.3 per cent.