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VFACTS: July 2023 new car sales figures for Australia

New vehicle sales seem to be almost fully recovered now following COVID-related delays

It’s that time of the month again. VFACTS figures, by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, for July 2023 have been released, revealing new vehicle registration figures for the month (we’ll call them sales) as we kick off the second half of this year.

Can you believe it’s already August? So far this year buyers have snapped up 678,618 new vehicles, according to the latest figures. That’s up 9.0 per cent on the same seven-month period in 2023.

For the month of July, 96,859 new vehicles were registered, up 14.7 per cent on last July. This is all indicating a potential recovery for vehicle manufacturing and delivery delays since COVID-19 and its repercussions. Tony Weber, CEO at the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, said:

“During the past twelve months the issue has been one of securing supply for consumers, however as these pressures ease, we are starting to see a return to more stable market conditions. Many of these vehicles were ordered several months ago, so it is important to monitor the broader economic conditions through 2023 and their impact on private and business demand.”

For the most popular new vehicle brands for the month of July, you guessed it, Toyota is at the top. It sold 19,191 vehicles during the month, which is actually down 1.9 per cent on last July.

In other areas, Ford has moved up to third position from June 2023 figures, and MG moves up a spot as well, with Volkswagen rounding out the top 10. You’ll notice, aside from Tesla, MG is experiencing the biggest growth followed by Ford, in the top 10.

Here are the top 10 best-selling car brands for July 2023, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets:

  1. Toyota19,191 (-1.9% on July 2022)
  2. Mazda8307 (+5.4%)
  3. Ford7109 (+60.1%)
  4. Hyundai6521 (-4.0%)
  5. Kia6150 (-8.4%)
  6. MG5347 (+77.2%)
  7. Mitsubishi4143 (-26.2%)
  8. Tesla3834 (+999%)
  9. Subaru3553 (+25.9%)
  10. Volkswagen2968 (+46.8%)

For the most popular vehicle models in Australia during the month of July, it wasn’t the Toyota HiLux on top. Ford took the crown with its Ranger ute, which managed to score 473 more sales than the otherwise favourite. Its figure is up an impressive 75 per cent on last July.

The MG ZS moved up into third position for the month, followed by the Tesla Model Y. At the bottom of the top 10 list we see the Toyota Prado has joining the ranks. This is interesting as the all-new model (above) has just been revealed.

Here are the top 10 best-seller vehicles during July 2023, including the percentage change compared with the same month last year:

  1. Ford Ranger: 5143 (+75.3%)
  2. Toyota HiLux: 4670 (-27.5%)
  3. MG ZS: 3852 (+213.4%)
  4. Tesla Model Y: 3330 (N/A)
  5. Toyota RAV42750 (+12.8%)
  6. Toyota Corolla: 2145 (+8.2%)
  7. Toyota LandCruiser: 2122 (-1.1%)
  8. Isuzu D-Max: 2070 (+7.3%)
  9. Hyundai i30: 1865 (+6.1%)
  10. Toyota Prado: 1836 (+75.4%)

Closing in on the segments, the small under $40,000 class was led by the Toyota Corolla this time, in front of the Hyundai i30. The i30 wasn’t far behind, however, the rest of the field was. Mazda3 sales continue to sit a decent distance behind the front runners, with the Kia Cerato falling right back from its higher standing 2-3 years ago.

This segment reported 5330 sales in total for the month, which is down 11.9 per cent on last July. Just to give you some perspective, this segment currently includes 9 vehicles. Wind back to July in 2012 and it was made up of 28 vehicles, which totalled 16,863 sales. Crazy, isn’t it?

During July 2023, these were the vehicles listed in this category and here are their results, with the percentage change compared with July last year in brackets:

  1. Toyota Corolla2145 (+8.2%)
  2. Hyundai i301865 (+6.1%)
  3. Mazda3833 (-10.8%)
  4. Kia Cerato322 (-66.0%)
  5. Skoda Scala: 73 (+75.0%)
  6. Subaru Impreza: 56 (-64.6%)
  7. Hyundai Ioniq: 0 (-100%)
  8. Toyota Prius: 0 (-100%)
  9. Toyota Prius V: 0 (-100%)

Over in the small above $40,000 segment, the Volkswagen Golf is still kicking the most goals from the previous month. It has racked up 1655 sales so far this year (YTD), placing it in first place just ahead of the Audi A3 (1640).

The segment reported 1622 new registrations in July. That’s down 7.4 per cent on last year but it contributes to a 31.5 per cent increase for the YTD tally. See below for the complete segment results for July 2023, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets):

  1. Volkswagen Golf388 (+7.2%)
  2. Mercedes-Benz A-Class: 246 (+7.0%)
  3. Audi A3: 237 (-28.2%)
  4. Subaru WRX: 215 (-38.7%)
  5. BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: 105 (-29.5%)
  6. BMW 1 Series: 102 (-27.1%)
  7. Cupra Born: 86 (new vehicle)
  8. MINI Clubman: 57 (+90.0%) / GWM Ora: 57 (new vehicle)
  9. Honda Civic: 44 (-35.3%)
  10. Nissan Leaf: 30 (+150.0%)
  11. Peugeot 308: 28 (new model)
  12. Cupra Leon: 20 (+53.8%)
  13. Mercedes-Benz B-Class: 4 (-90.2%)
  14. Renault Megane: 3 (-72.7%)
  15. Ford Focus: 0 (-100.0%)
  16. BMW i3: 0 (-100%)

The medium below $60,000 class saw the Toyota Camry post some decent numbers, but it is experiencing a 24.4 per cent decline in sales across the first seven months of the year. All competitors continue to report low numbers.

Overall, this class saw 1327 sales during the month. That’s down 7.7 per cent on last July, and the year-to-date total of 7247 units is down 13.8 per cent. See below for the results of the complete lineup, with the percentage change compared with July 2022 in brackets:

  1. Toyota Camry: 1046 (-14.4%)
  2. Skoda Octavia: 97 (+708.3%)
  3. Mazda6: 88 (-12.9%)
  4. Volkswagen Passat: 58 (-3.3%)
  5. Hyundai Sonata: 8 (-66.7%)
  6. Honda Accord: 30 (+66.7%)

Moving up into the luxury medium above $60,000 class, and it’s the Tesla Model 3 that remains in front. Sales are booming for the electric sedan, perhaps as Australians become more used to the idea of EVs and as the charging infrastructure expands.

The veteran Germans of the class continue to post reasonable numbers, however, even the Polestar 2 is in front of them for July (also an electric vehicle).

Segment figures hit 1989 units, which is up 98.3 per cent on last July. See below for the complete results for July, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

  1. Tesla Model 3: 604 (+999%)
  2. Polestar 2: 306 (+225.5%)
  3. BMW 3 Series: 232 (+90.2%)
  4. Mercedes-Benz C-Class: 209 (-41.9%)
  5. Lexus ES: 167 (+363.9%)
  6. Audi A4: 78 (+50.0%)
  7. Mercedes-Benz CLA: 73 (-33.0%)
  8. BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe: 58 (-28.4%)
  9. Volkswagen Arteon: 48 (-7.7%)
  10. Audi A5 Sportback: 46 (+76.9%)
  11. Hyundai IONIQ 6: 42 (new vehicle)
  12. Peugeot 508: 36 (+414.3%)
  13. Volvo S60: 23 (+91.7%)
  14. Volvo V60 Cross Country: 22 (+57.1%)
  15. Alfa Romeo Giulia21 (+10.5%)
  16. BMW i4: 20 (+150.0%)
  17. Genesis G702 (-60.0%) / Jaguar XE: 2 (-0.0%)
  18. Lexus IS: 0 (-100%)

Into the large below $70,000 segment and it looks like the Kia Stinger has taken a bit of a tumble, posting just 92 units. That’s down 17.9 per cent on last July. The overall segment reported just 114 units, down 32.9 per cent for the month.

See below for the results for July 2023 for the only vehicles listed, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

  1. Kia Stinger: 92 (-17.9%)
  2. Skoda Superb: 18 (-69.0%)
  3. Citroen C5 X: 4 (new vehicle)

The large above $70,000 segment isn’t doing so bad, with the total tally of 238 units for the month up 40 per cent on last July. The BMW 5 Series led the class, perhaps helped by the new model’s announcement, but the Mercedes-Benz EQE and Porsche Taycan followed close behind, and both are electric vehicles.

See below for the full lineup results, with the percentage change compared with July last year in brackets:

  1. BMW 5 Series: 63 (+53.7%)
  2. Mercedes-Benz EQE: 54 (new vehicle)
  3. Porsche Taycan: 53 (+26.2%)
  4. Mercedes-Benz E-Class: 30 (+7.1%)
  5. Audi e-tron GT: 13 (new vehicle)
  6. Audi A6: 12 (-63.6%)
  7. Genesis G80: 6 (+100.0%)
  8. Audi A7: 4 (-42.9%)
  9. Maserati Ghibli: 3 (-66.7%)
  10. Jaguar XF: 0 (-100%)
  11. Mercedes-Benz CLS: 0 (-100%)
  12. Toyota Mirai: 0 (-100%)

At the very top end, the upper large above $100,000 segment saw the Mercedes-Benz EQS take the lead. Another electric vehicle, it outsold its iconic parent, the S-Class by just one unit.

Segment sales topped 41 units in July. That’s down 32.8 per cent for the month and the class is experiencing a 6.2 per cent decline across YTD. See below for the full lineup results, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

  1. Mercedes EQS: 10 (-54.5%)
  2. Mercedes-Benz S-Class: 9 (-43.8%)
  3. Porsche Panamera: 8 (-11.1%)
  4. Lexus LS: 3 (0%) / BMW i7: 3 (new vehicle)
  5. Bentley sedan: 2 (+100%) / Audi A8: 2 (0%) / BMW 7 Series: 2 (-0%)
  6. Rolls-Royce sedan: 1 (0%) / BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe: 1 (-66.7%)
  7. Maserati Quattroporte: 0 (-100%)
  8. Mercedes-AMG GT 4: 0 (0%)

Into the fun stuff now, with the sports below $80,000 category. Here we see the Toyota GR 86 has taken the lead from the ever-popular Ford Mustang. It seems Mustang sales did drop a bit from previous months, perhaps as customers are now prepared to wait for the all-new model and even the electric Mustang Mach-E to arrive.

Segment sales reached 579 units during the month, which is up 38.5 per cent on last July. Year-to-date sales are up an impressive 82.8 per cent. See below for the complete lineup results, with the percentage change compared with July last year in brackets:

  1. Toyota GR86: 136 (new vehicle)
  2. Subaru BRZ: 126 (-22.2%)
  3. Ford Mustang: 120 (-39.7%)
  4. BMW 2 Series coupe/convertible: 80 (+999%)
  5. Nissan Z: 51 (new vehicle)
  6. MINI Cabrio: 41 (+355.6%)
  7. Mazda MX-525 (-44.4%)
  8. Nissan 370Z: 0 (outgoing model)

Moving up a peg into the sports above $80,000 segment, and it looks like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class two-door has taken the lead from its arch rival, the BMW 4 Series. Further down the list we see the Lotus Emira and Porsche Cayman both reported decent numbers, considering they are quite exclusive models, and the Toyota Supra also stepped up.

Overall class figures topped 354 units, which is up 78.8 per cent on last July. See below for the full lineup results, with the percentage variance compared with the same month in 2022 in brackets:

  1. Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe/convertible: 99 (+115.2%)
  2. BMW 4 Series coupe/convertible: 62 (+17.0%)
  3. Toyota GR Supra37 (+428.6%)
  4. Porsche Cayman24 (+166.7%) / Lotus Emira: 24 (new vehicle)
  5. Chevrolet Corvette: 23 (-4.2%)
  6. Porsche Boxster: 20 (+233.3%)
  7. Audi A5: 17 (+13.3%) / Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe/convertible: 17 (-15.0%)
  8. Audi TT: 13 (+550.0%)
  9. Lexus LC: 12 (+100%)
  10. BMW Z4: 5 (-37.5%)
  11. Jaguar F-Type: 1 (-50%)
  12. Alfa Romeo 4C: 0 (0%)
  13. Alpine A110: 0 (0%)
  14. Lexus RC0 (0%)
  15. Lotus Elise: 0 (0%)
  16. Lotus Exige: 0 (0%)

At the serious end of the sports car field, in the sports above $200,000 category, the Porsche 911 continues to dominate. Sales are down 2.0 per cent on July last year for the iconic model, whereas sales of Ferrari (up 60 per cent) and Lamborghini (up 108 per cent) are on an upward trend.

Overall, this class reported 131 new registrations in July, up 48.9 per cent on July last year. See below for the full lineup of results, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

  1. Porsche 911: 49 (-2.0%)
  2. Lamborghini coupe/convertible: 25 (+108.3%)
  3. Ferrari coupe/convertible: 24 (-60.0%)
  4. McLaren coupe/convertible: 11 (0%)
  5. Bentley coupe/convertible: 7 (+133.3%)
  6. Mercedes-Benz SL: 6 (new vehicle)
  7. Aston Martin coupe/convertible: 4 (0%)
  8. BMW 8 Series: 3 (+50%)
  9. Maserati coupe/convertible: 2 (0%)
  10. Nissan GT-R: 0 (-100%)
  11. Rolls-Royce coupe/convertible: 0 (-100%)
  12. Audi R8: 0 (0%)

Over in the everybody-wants-one SUV classes, the MG ZS came home as the best-selling SUV in the industry, while the Tesla Model Y was the best-selling premium SUV.

Across the top three segments, the SUV Medium below $60,000 class scored the most success, with 15,479 units (up 5.2 per cent for the month), followed by the SUV Small below $45,000 class with 14,296 (up 57.1 per cent), and then the SUV Large below $70,000 category with 10,002 units (up 11.7 per cent for the month).

See below for the complete sales (new registrations) results for each SUV category for July 2023, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

Best-selling SUVs – Light

  1. Mazda CX-3: 1563 (+62.5%)
  2. Kia Stonic: 677 (+15.7%)
  3. Hyundai Venue: 557 (-23.1%)
  4. Suzuki Jimny: 484 (+22.8%)
  5. Volkswagen T-Cross: 389 (-8.0%)
  6. Toyota Yaris Cross: 367 (-40.4%)
  7. Suzuki Ignis: 173 (+73.0%)
  8. Ford Puma: 123 (-63.3%)
  9. Nissan Juke: 69 (-45.7%)
  10. Renault Captur: 58 (-32.6%)

Best-selling SUVs – Small below $45,000

  1. MG ZS: 3852 (+213.4%)
  2. Subaru Crosstrek: 1179 (new vehicle, replaces XV)
  3. Toyota Corolla Cross: 1154 (new vehicle)
  4. Hyundai Kona1147 (+23.2%)
  5. Mazda CX-30: 1146 (-6.5%)
  6. GWM Haval Jolion: 834 (+12.1%)
  7. Toyota C-HR: 730 (+16.6%)
  8. Kia Seltos: 702 (-5.6%)
  9. Chery Omoda 5: 651 (new vehicle)
  10. Nissan Qashqai: 604 (+999%)
  11. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: 586 (-12.4%)
  12. Volkswagen T-Roc: 494 (+999%)
  13. Mitsubishi ASX: 435 (-49.3%)
  14. Honda HR-V: 155 (-46.2%)
  15. Skoda Kamiq: 147 (-17.4%)
  16. Renault Arkana: 131 (+13.9%)
  17. Suzuki Vitara: 130 (-72.0%)
  18. Jeep Compass: 89 (-48.9%)
  19. Mazda MX-30: 63 (-57.7%)
  20. Suzuki S-Cross: 42 (+999%)
  21. Peugeot 2008: 14 (0%)
  22. Citroen C4: 7 (-22.2%)
  23. Subaru XV: 4 (-99.4%)
  24. GWM Haval H2: 0 (-100%)

Best-selling SUVs – Small above $45,000

  1. BMW X1: 359 (+59.6%)
  2. Volvo XC40: 336 (+25.8%)
  3. Audi Q3: 285 (-48.1%)
  4. Lexus UX251 (+146.1%)
  5. MINI Countryman: 165 (+153.8%)
  6. Kia Niro: 124 (+57.0%)
  7. Mercedes-Benz GLA: 123 (-62.2%)
  8. Audi Q2: 119 (+17.8%)
  9. Volvo C40: 96 (new vehicle)
  10. Mercedes-Benz EQA: 71 (+222.7%)
  11. Alfa Romeo Tonale: 43 (new vehicle)
  12. Genesis GV60: 22 (new vehicle)
  13. Jaguar E-Pace: 12 (-57.1%)
  14. BMW X2: 8 (-81.8%)

Best-selling SUVs – Medium below $60,000

  1. Toyota RAV42750 (+12.8%)
  2. Mitsubishi Outlander: 1778 (+35.7%)
  3. Hyundai Tucson: 1662 (-24.0%)
  4. Mazda CX-51616 (-31.1%)
  5. Kia Sportage: 1239 (-32.6%)
  6. BYD Atto 3: 1005 (new vehicle)
  7. Subaru Forester: 951 (+68.0%)
  8. Volkswagen Tiguan744 (+420.3%)
  9. Nissan X-Trail678 (-46.6%)
  10. GWM Haval H6: 595 (+32.2%)
  11. Honda CR-V: 500 (-9.7%)
  12. MG HS: 455 (-49.2%)
  13. GWM Haval H6 GT: 389 (+263.6)
  14. Ford Escape: 303 (+52.3%) / Renault Koleos: 303 (+309.5%)
  15. Honda ZR-V: 201 (new vehicle)
  16. Skoda Karoq: 117 (+108.9%)
  17. Cupra Formentor105 (+303.8)
  18. SsangYong Korando: 51 (-23.9%)
  19. Peugeot 3008: 27 (-80.0%)
  20. Peugeot 5008: 8 (-20.0%)
  21. Citroen C5 Aircross: 2 (0%)
  22. Jeep Cherokee: 0 (-100%)

Best-selling SUVs – Medium above $60,000

  1. Tesla Model Y: 3330 (new vehicle)
  2. Lexus NX658 (+129.3%)
  3. Mazda CX-60628 (new vehicle)
  4. Mercedes-Benz GLC: 289 (-40.8%)
  5. Porsche Macan: 258 (+126.3%)
  6. BMW X3: 232 (-44.6%)
  7. Audi Q5: 226 (61.4%)
  8. Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe: 181 (+75.7%)
  9. Volvo XC60: 144 (-33.9%)
  10. Genesis GV70: 118 (+118.5%)
  11. Mercedes-Benz GLB: 110 (-86.4%)
  12. Hyundai IONIQ 5: 78 (+212.0%)
  13. Mercedes-Benz EQB: 73 (new vehicle)
  14. BMW X454 (-53.4%)
  15. Maserati Gracale: 44 (new vehicle)
  16. Mercedes-Benz EQC: 29 (+262.5%) / Lexus RZ29 (new vehicle)
  17. Alfa Romeo Stelvio: 12 (0%) / Range Rover Evoque: 12 (-78.2%)
  18. Cupra Ateca: 10 (0%)
  19. Land Rover Discovery Sport: 6 (-72.7%)
  20. Hyundai Nexo: 0 (0%)

Best-selling SUVs – Large below $70,000

  1. Toyota Prado: 1836 (+75.4%)
  2. Toyota Kluger: 1313 (-25.7%)
  3. Ford Everest: 1288 (+88.0%)
  4. Isuzu MU-X: 1270 (+55.3%)
  5. Subaru Outback969 (+27.7%)
  6. Hyundai Santa Fe: 540 (+20.3%)
  7. Kia Sorento: 402 (-39.6%)
  8. Mazda CX-8: 366 (-22.5%)
  9. Mazda CX-9: 320 (-23.6%)
  10. Hyundai Palisade: 279 (+57.6%)
  11. Toyota Fortuner: 236 (-14.2%)
  12. LDV D90: 228 (+34.1%)
  13. Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace: 205 (-13.1%)
  14. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: 181 (-69.2%)
  15. SsangYong Rexton: 157 (+57.0%)
  16. Skoda Kodiaq: 141 (+11.0%)
  17. GWM Tank 300: 99 (new vehicle)
  18. Nissan Pathfinder: 85 (new model)
  19. Jeep Wrangler: 66 (-60.0%)
  20. Volkswagen Passat Alltrack: 21 (+5.0%)
  21. Mitsubishi Pajero: 0 (-100.0%)
  22. GWM Haval H9: 0 (0)

Best-selling SUVs – Large above $70,000

  1. Land Rover Defender: 336 (+119.6%)
  2. BMW X5: 309 (+18.4%)
  3. Lexus RX184 (+155.6%)
  4. Mercedes-Benz GLE: 174 (-50.6%)
  5. Kia EV6: 167 (+221.2%)
  6. Audi Q7: 164 (+59.2%)
  7. Porsche Cayenne Coupe: 80 (+142.4%)
  8. Jeep Grand Cherokee: 73 (+56.5%) / BMW X6: 73 (-20.7%)
  9. Volkswagen Touareg: 72 (-35.1%)
  10. Range Rover Sport: 70 (+169.2%) / Mercedes-Benz GLE coupe: 70 (-31.4%)
  11. Audi Q8: 63 (+8.6%)
  12. Porsche Cayenne: 60 (+39.5%)
  13. Volvo XC9057 (-58.1%)
  14. Range Rover Velar: 56 (+93.1%)
  15. Genesis GV80: 42 (+55.6%)
  16. BMW iX: 40 (+400%)
  17. Jaguar F-Pace: 22 (-4.3%)
  18. Maserati Levante: 8 (-68.0%)
  19. Jaguar I-Pace: 4 (+33.3%)
  20.  Audi e-tron: 1 (-92.9%)

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

  1. Toyota LandCruiser1230 (+5.0%)
  2. Nissan Patrol: 466 (+56.4%)
  3. Land Rover Discovery: 42 (+100%)

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

  1. Lexus LX: 86 (+186.7%)
  2. BMW X7: 82 (-7.9%)
  3. Mercedes-Benz G-Class: 52 (+18.2%)
  4. Mercedes-Benz GLS: 42 (-57.1%)
  5. Range Rover: 40 (+900%)
  6. BMW XM: 19 (new vehicle)
  7. Lamborghini Urus: 12 (-20.0%)
  8. Bentley Bentayga: 11 (120.0%)
  9. Rolls-Royce Cullinan: 4 (+100%)
  10. Aston Martin DBX1 (-75.0%)

And lastly, the utes and pickups. See below for the top 10 best-selling utes in Australia for July 2023, according to VFACTS, including 4×2 and 4×4 and the large above $100,000 segments combined:

  1. Ford Ranger: 5143
  2. Toyota HiLux: 4670
  3. Isuzu D-Max: 2070
  4. Mazda BT-50: 1195
  5. Mitsubishi Triton: 1163
  6. Toyota LandCruiser 70: 892
  7. GWM Ute: 590
  8. LDV T60/T60 EV: 477
  9. Nissan Navaran: 416
  10. Volkswagen Amarok: 294

As a reminder, VFACTS shows a total of 96,859 new vehicle registrations in July 2023, as mentioned at the top. That’s up 14.7 per cent on July 2022, and contributes to a year-to-date rise of 9.0 per cent.

Brett Davis

Brett started out as a motor mechanic but eventually became frustrated working on cars that weren't his. He then earned a degree in journalism and scored a job at Top Gear Australia back in 2008, and then worked at Zoom/Extreme Performance magazines, CarAdvice, and started PerformanceDrive/PDriveTV in 2011 with Josh Bennis, and ran it for 12 years. He's now the owner and managing editor here at Driving Enthusiast.

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