VFACTS: February 2024 new car sales results for Australia

It’s time for another round of VFACTS new vehicle registration figures, with the February 2024 results showing a continued incline for the local market.

The report shows that in February, Aussies took delivery of 105,023 new vehicles. That’s up 20.9 per cent on the same month last year, and it contributes to a 13.4 per cent increase for the first two months of the year (YTD).

Kicking off with the most popular new vehicle brands, Toyota remains in charge of this domain. It reported 19,374 sales, which is up 34.6 per cent year-to-date. Mazda come home in second spot again, with 7350 sales, and then Ford with 7275 units.

In the top 10 list we see Nissan rejoins the rankings, kicking out GWM in the process from January results. Nissan actually had a cracking month, jumping straight into fourth spot with sales up 157 per cent on last February.

See below for the top 10 best-selling car brands for February 2024, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets:

Toyota: 19,374 (+35.2% on February 2023)
Mazda: 7350 (-4.1%)
Ford: 7275 (+20.8%)
Nissan: 6617 (+157.2%)
Mitsubishi: 6411 (+16.6%)
Kia: 6141 (+2.4%)
Hyundai: 5703 (+3.6%)
Tesla: 5665 (+61.1%)
Isuzu: 4692 (+48.7%)
MG: 4474 (+2.5%)

The best-selling vehicles for the month were led by the Ford Ranger once again. It is proving to be quite the competitor against the trusty Toyota HiLux. With a gap of almost 1000 units between them in February, Ford is off to a commanding start for the year.

Further down the top 10 list we see the Nissan X-Trail. This is the first time in a while it has enjoyed a ride with the top field. It also explains that 157 per cent increase for Nissan, as shown in the section above.

The Toyota Corolla and Tesla Model 3 remain as the only ‘cars’ in the top 10, with all others being either a ute or SUV. See below for the top 10 best-selling vehicles during February 2024, including the percentage change compared with the same month last year:

Ford Ranger: 5353 (+19.7%)
Toyota HiLux: 4403 (+11.8%)
Tesla Model 3: 3593 (+34.5%)
Isuzu D-Max: 2941 (+52.3%)
Toyota RAV4: 2843 (+34.4%)
Toyota LandCruiser: 2693 (+51.0%)
Nissan X-Trail: 2508 (+283.5%)
Toyota Corolla: 2439 (+105.5%)
MG ZS: 2357 (+15.1%)
Mitsubishi Outlander: 2209 (+2.0%)

Zooming into the specific car categories, the Toyota Corolla took out the small under $40,000 class with a big lead over the Hyundai i30. The Kia Cerato caught up a bit during this month, while most others trickle along in the background.

Overall segment sales reached 6576 units in February, and that’s up 67.6 per cent for the month and up 63.4 per cent across YTD. See below for the full results for this class in February, with the percentage change compared with February 2023 in brackets:

Toyota Corolla: 2495 (+105.5%)
Hyundai i30: 1372 (-3.1%)
Kia Cerato: 1116 (+168.3%)
Mazda3: 753 (+34.2%)
MG MG5: 370 (new vehicle)
BYD Dolphin: 219 (new vehicle)
Subaru Impreza: 201 (-27.2%)
Skoda Scala: 50 (+22.0%)
Hyundai Ioniq: 0 (-100%)

2024 MG MG4 51kWh - white

Moving up to the premium end in the small above $40,000 class and we see the MG4 retains its commanding lead over all rivals. The next-nearest nameplate was the Audi A3 in February, but even that managed just over half as many sales.

The Volkswagen Golf is holding in there, while the Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series have definitely fallen right back in recent times. The A-Class, in particular, used to dominate this segment. And yes, some more ‘mainstream’ rivals have been added to this class in recent times, like the Honda Civic and Subaru WRX, but even so. For example, in February 2021, Mercedes sold 421 A-Class vehicles and BMW sold 239 1 Series units.

Overall segment sales topped 1808 units in February this year, which is up 45.2 per cent on last February and contributes to a 31.6 per cent increase across the first two months of the year (YTD). See below for the complete results for the month, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

MG MG4: 446 (new vehicle)
Audi A3: 272 (-3.2%)
Volkswagen Golf: 189 (+9.9%)
Subaru WRX: 143 (-55.7%)
BMW 1 Series: 133 (+72.7%) / Mercedes-Benz A-Class: 133 (+12.7%)
Honda Civic: 128 (+52.4%)
GWM Ora: 98 (new vehicle)
Cupra Born: 69 (+999%)
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: 66 (-1.5%)
MINI Clubman: 37 (-999%)
Cupra Leon: 35 (+12.9%)
Peugeot 308: 30 (+100%)
Nissan Leaf: 27 (-52.6%)
Renault Megane: 2 (-33.3%)
Mercedes-Benz B-Class: 0 (-100.0%)
Ford Focus: 0 (-100.0%)

Into the medium below $60,000 category and the Toyota Camry continues as the favourite. No surprises there, really. However, the new BYD Seal is chasing it down pretty fast, and it could catch the Camry, especially if BYD is able to out-pace Toyota in terms of getting stock into Australia.

Total class figures stand at 2508 units, which is up 232.6 per cent for the month and YTD the combined first two-month figure is up 200.3 per cent. See below for the full class results, with the percentage change compared with February 2023 in brackets:

Toyota Camry: 1552 (+259.9%)
BYD Seal: 619 (new vehicle)
Skoda Octavia: 126 (-8.0%)
Mazda6: 120 (-2.4%)
Hyundai Sonata: 72(+323.6%)
Volkswagen Passat: 12 (-84.8%)
Honda Accord: 7 (+16.7%)

Over in the premium, medium above $60,000 segment, we see the Tesla Model 3 continues kicking goals at the top. It easily outsells all rivals, put together. In fact, it’s difficult to fathom how far the Model 3 is ahead. Traditional luxury cars here, such as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class, don’t appear to stand a chance.

Class efforts topped 4495 units, which is up 19.9 per cent for the month. However, year-to-date, the segment is experiencing a 21.9 per cent downturn. See below for the full results in this class for February 2024, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

Tesla Model 3: 3593 (+34.5%)
BMW 3 Series: 186 (+102.2%)
Mercedes-Benz C-Class: 141 (-62.0%)
BMW i4: 128 (+999%)
Polestar 2: 113 (-34.3%)
Lexus ES: 76 (-36.1%)
Mercedes-Benz CLA: 63 (+8.6%)
Audi A4: 35 (-45.3%)
Audi A5 Sportback: 33 (-25.0%)
Hyundai IONIQ 6: 27 (+350%)
Alfa Romeo Giulia: 23 (+43.8%)
Volkswagen Arteon: 20 (-67.2%)
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe: 16 (-38.5%)
Peugeot 508: 15 (+114.3%)
Volvo S60: 14 (-12.5%)
Volvo V60 Cross Country: 10 (+42.9%)
Genesis G70: 1 (-92.3%) / Jaguar XE: 1 (-75.0%)

The large below $70,000 class hasn’t looked better. Actually, that’s a lie. It’s the worst. Kia Stinger sales are clearly winding down, leaving just the Skoda Superb and Citroen C5 X. Although, we’re not sure why the C5 X is even listed here. Isn’t it an SUV?

Combined, these three reported 28 sales, collectively. That’s down 89.9 per cent for the month. Year-to-date, the two-month tally is down 90.1 per cent. See below for the full results for February 2024, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

Skoda Superb: 26 (-16.1%)
Citroen C5 X: 2 (-75.0%)
Kia Stinger: 0 (-100%)

Over in the large above $70,000 class, things aren’t so grim. Both month (175) and YTD (329), the sales are up, 12.2 per cent and 25.6 per cent, respectively. February saw the BMW 5 Series take the class crown, followed closely by the Porsche Taycan.

See below for the complete results for this segment, with the percentage change compared with February last year in brackets:

BMW 5 Series: 57 (+375.0%)
Porsche Taycan: 43 (-10.4%)
Audi A6: 24 (+9.1%)
Audi e-tron GT: 19 (-40.6%)
Mercedes-Benz E-Class: 14 (+27.3%)
Mercedes-Benz EQE: 10 (+11.1%)
Audi A7: 4 (-55.6%)
Genesis G80: 3 (-57.1%)
Toyota Mirai: 1 (+100.0%)
Maserati Ghibli: 0 (+100.0%)
Jaguar XF: 0 (+100.0%)
Mercedes-Benz CLS: 0 (-100%)

Up in the penthouse, the upper large above $100,000 segment, BMW and Porsche took out first place for sales with the fully electric i7 and Panamera. Mercedes-Benz was close behind with its S-Class. All other contenders reported either one or no sales.

The class saw 18 sales in total, down 30.8 per cent for the month, leaving the YTD tally at a 60.8 per cent decline. See below for the full results for this class for February 2024, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

BMW i7: 5 (+66.7%) / Porsche Panamera: 5 (0.0%)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class: 4 (-55.6%)
Bentley sedan: 1 (0.0%)
Mercedes EQS: 1 (-50.0%)
BMW 7 Series: 1 (-66.7%)
BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe: 1 (-50.0%)
Audi A8: 0 (0.0%)
Lexus LS: 0 (-100.0%)
Mercedes-AMG GT 4: 0 (0.0%)
Rolls-Royce sedan: 0 (-100.0%)

Moving into the sports cars now, kicking off with the sports below $80,000 class, and the Subaru BRZ crosses the line again as the best-selling model outright. The new Ford Mustang is arriving soon which should shake up this class a bit, so we’ll keep an eye out.

Overall class efforts topped 273 units, and that’s down 39.3 per cent. The year-to-date tally sits at 576 units, and that’s down 30.9 per cent. See below for the full results for the month, with the percentage change compared with February 2023 in brackets:

Subaru BRZ: 103 (-29.0%)
Toyota GR86: 61 (+48.8%)
MINI Cabrio: 42 (+600%)
Nissan Z: 38 (-2.6%)
Mazda MX-5: 29 (-32.6%)
Ford Mustang: 0 (-100%)

Into the more serious sports above $80,000 class and it’s the BMW 2 Series that crosses the line with the most sales. Porsche Cayman sales crept up in February, although its YTD figure is down 24.1 per cent, while the Lotus Emira experienced a nice blip.

Total class figures topped 276 units, which is up 27.8 per cent. The YTD total of 586 units is up 24.2 per cent. See below for the full segment results, with the percentage change compared with February 2023 in brackets:

BMW 2 Series coupe/convertible: 71 (+136.7%)
BMW 4 Series coupe/convertible: 60 (+42.9%)
Porsche Cayman: 29 (-3.3%)
Toyota GR Supra: 21 (+200%)
Lotus Emira: 17 (+30.8%)
Chevrolet Corvette: 15 (-25.0%)
Porsche Boxster: 14 (+27.3%)
Audi TT: 10 (+66.7%)
Audi A5: 9 (+125.0%)
BMW Z4: 8 (+300%) / Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe/convertible: 8 (-80.5%)
Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe/convertible: 7 (+75.0%)
Jaguar F-Type: 6 (+20.0%)
Lexus LC: 1 (0.0%)
Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class: 0 (0.0%)

At the top, the sports above $200,000 segment’s king is still the Porsche 911. It had an awesome month in February, reporting one of the highest figures I’ve ever seen from the 911 – I’ve been reporting VFACTS like this for about 10 years. No rival came close.

Runner-up Lamborghini had a decent month as well, as did Ferrari. Total class efforts reached 141 sales, which is up 46.9 per cent for the month and contributes to a 45.6 per cent YTD increase. See below for the full lineup results, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

Porsche 911: 96 (+182.4%)
Lamborghini coupe/convertible: 14 (+250%)
Ferrari coupe/convertible: 10 (-54.5%)
Mercedes-Benz SL: 7 (new vehicle)
Bentley coupe/convertible: 4 (-83.3%)
BMW 8 Series: 3 (+200%)
Aston Martin coupe/convertible: 2 (-50%)
McLaren coupe/convertible: 2 (-50.0%)
Rolls-Royce coupe/convertible: 2 (0.0%)
Maserati coupe/convertible: 1 (-66.7%)

As for the ever-popular SUVs, the Toyota RAV4 was once again the best-selling SUV outright. The Tesla Model Y is back in top position as the best-selling premium SUV. We also notice the Isuzu MU-X jumped top spot in its class, and the Land Rover Defender moved into top spot in its class.

Sifting through the top three classes, the SUV Medium below $60,000 segment reported the biggest sales overall, with 17,644 units (up 10.6 per cent for the month). It was followed by the SUV Small below $45,000 category with 13,306 sales (up 38.1 per cent), and then the SUV Large below $70,000 segment which reported 10,259 sales (up 3.9 per cent).

See below for the complete sales (new registrations) results for each SUV category for February 2024, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:

Best-selling SUVs – Light

Mazda CX-3: 1232 (+17.8%)
Kia Stonic: 794 (+40.5%)
Suzuki Jimny: 722 (+56.3%)
Toyota Yaris Cross: 684 (-3.1%)
Nissan Juke: 498 (+223.4%)
Hyundai Venue: 487 (+2.1%)
Volkswagen T-Cross: 286 (-42.1%)
Ford Puma: 232 (-1.3%)
Suzuki Ignis: 179 (-24.8%)
Renault Captur: 18 (-85.1%)

Best-selling SUVs – Small below $45,000

MG ZS: 2357 (+15.1%)
Subaru Crosstrek: 1254 (new vehicle, replaces XV)
GWM Haval Jolion: 1202 (+47.8%)
Mitsubishi ASX: 1060 (-65.1%)
Hyundai Kona: 1024 (+55.4%)
Nissan Qashqai: 974 (+42.8%)
Mazda CX-30: 944 (+96.3%)
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: 862 (+4.7%)
Toyota Corolla Cross: 860 (+68.3%)
Kia Seltos: 819 (+31.5%)
Volkswagen T-Roc: 607 (-8.2%)
Chery Omoda 5: 474 (new vehicle)
Honda HR-V: 280 (+69.7%)
Suzuki Vitara: 234 (+47.2%)
Skoda Kamiq: 96 (-51.3%)
Suzuki S-Cross: 88 (+72.5%)
Jeep Compass: 81 (-42.1%)
Peugeot 2008: 32 (+146.2%)
Renault Arkana: 28 (-72.8%)
Mazda MX-30: 23 (-67.6%)
Citroen C4: 6 (+500.0%)
Toyota C-HR: 1 (-99.8%)
Subaru XV: 0 (-100.0%)

Best-selling SUVs – Small above $45,000

Audi Q3: 342 (-24.3%)
BMW X1: 331 (+999%)
Volvo XC40: 285 (-42.0%)
Kia Niro: 157 (+18.9%)
Mercedes-Benz GLA: 93 (+102.2%)
Lexus UX: 91 (+13.8%) / Mercedes-Benz EQA: 91 (+810%)
Audi Q2: 72 (-8.9%)
Renault Megane E-Tech: 57 (new vehicle)
Volvo C40: 51 (-13.6%)
MINI Countryman: 41 (-28.1%)
Alfa Romeo Tonale: 29 (new vehicle)
Jaguar E-Pace: 9 (+999%)
BMW X2: 7 (-82.1%)
Genesis GV60: 4 (-86.7%)

Best-selling SUVs – Medium below $60,000

Toyota RAV4: 2843 (+34.4%)
Nissan X-Trail: 2508 (+283.5%)
Mitsubishi Outlander: 2209 (+2.0%)
Hyundai Tucson: 1687 (+8.4%)
Mazda CX-5: 1642 (-36.8%)
Kia Sportage: 1350 (+45.9%)
Subaru Forester: 1206 (-29.4%)
Honda CR-V: 761 (-21.8%)
BYD Atto 3: 711 (-7.7%)
GWM Haval H6: 679 (+13.5%)
Honda ZR-V: 533 (new vehicle)
Volkswagen Tiguan: 384 (-13.1%)
GWM Haval H6 GT: 314 (+41.4%)
MG HS: 286 (-58.8%)
Chery Tiggo 7 Pro: 155 (new vehicle)
Renault Koleos: 144 (-21.3%)
Skoda Karoq: 82 (-35.4%)
Ford Escape: 55 (-61.0%)
SsangYong Korando: 51 (+50%)
Peugeot 3008: 39 (+11.4%)
Citroen C5 Aircross: 5 (+150%)
Jeep Cherokee: 0 (-100%)

Best-selling SUVs – Medium above $60,000

Tesla Model Y: 2072 (-145.2%)
Lexus NX: 533 (+89.0%)
Porsche Macan: 293 (+8.5%)
BMW X3: 262 (+27.8%)
Audi Q5: 236 (-37.6%)
Mazda CX-60: 232 (new vehicle)
Volvo XC60: 164 (-12.8%)
Mercedes-Benz GLC: 143 (-23.9%)
Cupra Formentor: 96 (-42.2)
Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe: 94 (+176.5%)
Hyundai IONIQ 5: 84 (-42.5%)
Mercedes-Benz GLB: 79 (-39.2%)
Genesis GV70: 54 (+25.6%)
Range Rover Evoque: 41 (+999%)
BMW X4: 32 (-33.3%)
Maserati Gracale: 27 (+800%)
Subaru Solterra: 23 (new vehicle)
Cupra Ateca: 19 (+90%)
Land Rover Discovery Sport: 18 (+200%)
Mercedes-Benz EQB: 16 (-44.8%)
Mercedes-Benz EQC: 14 (-180%)
Alfa Romeo Stelvio: 12 (-14.3%)
Peugeot 408: 5 (new vehicle)
Peugeot 5008: 2 (-71.4%)

Best-selling SUVs – Large below $70,000

Isuzu MU-X: 1751 (+42.9%)
Ford Everest: 1059 (+40.8%)
Toyota Prado: 1018 (-9.3%)
Kia Sorento: 950 (-9.1%)
Toyota Kluger: 890 (-19.4%)
Subaru Outback: 872 (-29.3%)
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: 743 (+62.6%)
Mazda CX-8: 502 (+30.1%)
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace: 444 (+31.0%)
GWM Tank 300: 387 (+999%)
Hyundai Santa Fe: 328 (-39.1%)
LDV D90: 298 (+33.6%)
Toyota Fortuner: 278 (+63.5%)
Hyundai Palisade: 249 (+3.3%)
SsangYong Rexton: 145 (+23.9%)
Skoda Kodiaq: 118 (+42.2%)
Mazda CX-9: 107 (-82.5%)
Jeep Wrangler: 57 (-1.7%)
Nissan Pathfinder: 51 (-57.5%)
Volkswagen Passat Alltrack: 6 (-62.5%)
Dodge Journey: 0 (0.0%)
Mitsubishi Pajero: 0 (-100.0%)

Best-selling SUVs – Large above $70,000

Land Rover Defender: 208 (+252.5%)
Kia EV6: 192 (+380.0%)
BMW X5: 188 (-20.0%)
Lexus RX: 187 (+43.8%)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 134 (-58.0%)
Range Rover Sport: 133 (+166.0%) / Porsche Cayenne: 133 (+30.4%)
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV: 110 (new model)
Porsche Cayenne Coupe: 104 (-8.8%)
Volvo XC90: 80 (-17.5%)
Ford Mustang Mach-E: 66 (new model)
Audi Q7: 64 (-72.2%)
Jeep Grand Cherokee: 63 (-42.7%)
Volkswagen Touareg: 62 (-37.4%)
Audi Q8: 53 (+152.4%)
Mazda CX-90: 50 (new model)
BMW X6: 37 (+5.7%) / Mercedes-Benz GLE coupe: 37 (-49.3%)
Range Rover Velar: 30 (+999%)
BMW iX: 29 (-37.0%)
Jaguar F-Pace: 26 (+160.0%)
Audi e-tron: 22 (+15.8%)
Lexus RZ: 14 (new vehicle)
Genesis GV80: 13 (-23.5%)
Maserati Levante: 6 (-62.5%)
Jaguar I-Pace: 1 (-50.0%)

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

Toyota LandCruiser: 1578 (+54.4%)
Nissan Patrol: 1020 (+206.3%)
Land Rover Discovery: 46 (+999%)
Kia EV9: 39 (new vehicle)

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

BMW X7: 82 (+22.4%)
Lexus LX: 60 (-42.3%)
Range Rover: 44 (+300%)
Mercedes-Benz G-Class: 42 (+999%)
Mercedes-Benz GLS: 29 (-32.6%)
BMW XM: 7 (new vehicle) / Aston Martin DBX: 7 (+16.7%)
Bentley Bentayga: 6 (-70.0%)
Lamborghini Urus: 4 (-63.6%)
Ferrari Purosangue: 3 (new vehicle)
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV: 2 (new vehicle) / Rolls-Royce Cullinan: 2 (+300%)

And lastly the utes and pickup trucks. The Ford Ranger was the most popular once again in February, and it even took the title for the best-selling 4×2 ute and 4×4 ute, separately.

See below for the top 15 best-selling utes in Australia for February 2024, according to VFACTS, including 4×2 and 4×4 and the large above $100,000 segments combined:

Ford Ranger: 5353
Toyota HiLux: 4403
Isuzu D-Max: 2941
Mitsubishi Triton: 1537
Nissan Navara: 1501
Mazda BT-50: 1389
Toyota LandCruiser 70: 1115
Volkswagen Amarok: 782
GWM Ute: 772
LDV T60/T60 EV: 392
RAM 1500: 283
Ford F-150: 255
SsangYong Musso: 226
Chevrolet Silverado: 171
Chervolet Silverado HD: 101

To recap, total industry sales reached 105,023 units in February 2024, which is up 20.9 per cent on last February. Sales are also up across YTD, by 13.4 per cent.

Petrol power was the most popular, accounting for 46,533 units (up 4.5 per cent for the month), followed by diesel with 32,022 units (up 21.1 per cent), and then hybrid with 11,447 units (up 100.2 per cent). PHEVs made up 1034 sales (up 127.8 per cent), and EVs made up 10,111 units (up 70.4 per cent).