New vehicle registration figures for May 2024 are out, in the form of VFACTS, and, you guessed it, it was another record month for Australia. New car buyers just can’t seem to get enough of… new cars.
With 111,099 new vehicle registrations (we’ll call them sales for brevity), it was the best May result ever. This has been happening a lot lately, with monthly records tumbling in April and March as well.
It looks like hybrids and plug-in hybrids were the trending vehicle types, with these accounting for 15.8 per cent of the market, up from 7.9 per cent share last year. Although, like with EVs, sales are naturally going to go up since more and more hybrids and PHEVs are being released onto the market.
In fact, Toyota announced this week that its showroom will be completely hybrid in Australia going forward, at least for the main model lines (excluding GR86). Other brands are employing similar measures, increasing their mix of hybrid and plug-in hybrid, as well as fully electric. This will, no doubt, cause an uptick in sales.
The total figure for May is up 5.1 per cent on May 2023, and contributes to a 12.2 per cent increase across the year-to-date (YTD) effort.
Starting with the most popular new vehicle brands, Toyota is of course the leader once again, reporting 23,389 units. Sales for the favourite are up 27.5 per cent for May, and up an impressive 40.8 per cent YTD. Rivals simply couldn’t get near, with runner-up, Ford, posting a mere 8806 sales in comparison.
Checking out the top 10 best-sellers, it appears Tesla has bumped out Subaru from the previous month, for 10th spot, and Hyundai has overtaken Mitsubishi for fifth spot. Other than those, the standings look identical to the previous month.
See below for the top 10 best-selling car brands for May 2024, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets:
- Toyota: 23,389 (+27.5% on May 2023)
- Ford: 8806 (+40.9%)
- Mazda: 8002 (-5.6%)
- Kia: 7504 (+7.2%)
- Hyundai: 6495 (-8.2%)
- Mitsubishi: 6409 (+39.8%)
- Isuzu: 4401 (+26.4%)
- MG: 4159 (-13.9%)
- GWM: 3820 (+17.9%)
- Tesla: 3567 (-20.3%)
So, how about the best-selling vehicles in May? Ford took the honours this time with its Ranger ute. It narrowly surpassed the HiLux, and the RAV4 not far behind that. From there it was a big jump down to the others, with the Isuzu D-Max coming home in fourth place.
See below for the top 10 best-selling vehicles during May 2024, including the percentage change compared with the same month last year:
- Ford Ranger: 5912 (+43.8% on May 2023)
- Toyota HiLux: 5702 (-1.2%)
- Toyota RAV4: 5517 (+110.9%)
- Isuzu D-Max: 2612 (+10.2%)
- Toyota LandCruiser: 2578 (+11.9%)
- Mitsubishi Outlander: 2500 (+33.0%)
- Toyota Camry: 2468 (+185.6%)
- Toyota Corolla: 2439 (+76.0)
- Ford Everest: 2110 (+159.9%)
- Mazda CX-5: 2108 (+14.2%)
Moving into the individual segments, and kicking off with the micro, light under $30,000, and light above $30k classes, this is what they looked like in May. Percentage change from May last year in brackets.
Micro
- Kia Picanto: 793 (+24.5% from May 2023)
- Fiat 500/Abarth: 40 (-32.2%)
Light under $30,000
- MG MG3: 1077 (-28.6%)
- Mazda2: 450 (+19.0%)
- Suzuki Swift: 442 (-23.7%)
- Toyota Yaris: 395 (+208.6%)
Light under $30,000
- Volkswagen Polo: 195 (+103.1%)
- MINI hatch: 80 (-59.6%)
- Skoda Fabia: 32 (-8.6%)
- Audi A1: 25 (-46.8%)
the small under $40,000 class, it was led by the Toyota Corolla followed by the Kia Cerato and then the Mazda3. Hyundai i30 sales remain in fourth, however, we suspect there will be a blip very soon as the local arm is launching a mild-hybrid version with the facelifted i30 in July.
Combined segment efforts reached 6428 units in May. That’s up 23.8 per cent on May last year, and contributes to a 41.8 per cent increase on the YTD sales. See below for the full results for this class in May, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:
- Toyota Corolla: 2439 (+76.0%)
- Kia Cerato: 1538 (+178.6%)
- Mazda3: 884 (+13.5%)
- Hyundai i30: 798 (-63.1%)
- MG MG5: 397 (new vehicle)
- Subaru Impreza: 176 (-29.3%)
- BYD Dolphin: 175 (new vehicle)
- Skoda Scala: 21 (-67.7%)
- Hyundai Ioniq: 0 (0.0%)
Over in the small above $40,000 segment, and it looks like the MG4 is still drawing in the biggest crowd. It’s funny to think that a relatively new car brand is able to overtake the established German veterans in this ‘premium’ class. Yet, here we are.
Total class figures topped 1984 units, which is up 48.3 per cent on last May. The YTD tally stands at 8888 units, and that’s up 27.8 per cent. See below for the complete results for the month, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:
- MG MG4: 565 (new vehicle)
- Audi A3: 302 (+45.9%)
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class: 285 (+35.1%)
- Subaru WRX: 255 (+20.9%)
- Honda Civic: 130 (+100%)
- Volkswagen Golf: 129 (-31.7%)
- GWM Ora: 116 (new vehicle)
- BMW 1 Series: 52 (-67.3%)
- Nissan Leaf: 38 (-32.1%)
- Cupra Born: 31 (-47.5%)
- BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: 30 (-59.5%)
- Cupra Leon: 23 (-45.2%)
- MINI Clubman: 18 (-14.3%)
- Peugeot 308: 6 (-72.7%)
- Renault Megane: 4 (-50.0%)
- Mercedes-Benz B-Class: 0 (-100%)
- Ford Focus: 0 (-100.0%)
Stepping across into the medium below $60,000 segment, obviously the Toyota Camry dominates. However, the BYD Seal is really getting up there, posting over 1000 sales in May. The fully electric sedan is basically a rival to the Tesla Model 3, but due to its lower entry price it’s able to compete here.
Class figures topped out at 3744 for May, and that’s up 197.6 per cent on last May. The YTD tally of 13,652 units is up 195.1 per cent. See below for the full class results, with the percentage change compared with May 2023 in brackets:
- Toyota Camry: 2468 (+185.6%)
- BYD Seal: 1002 (new vehicle)
- Skoda Octavia: 87 (-33.6%)
- Mazda6: 73 (-51.0%)
- Hyundai Sonata: 65(+58.5%)
- Honda Accord: 40 (+700%)
- Volkswagen Passat: 9 (-86.8%)
Into the medium above $60,000 class, that Tesla Model 3 mentioned just before managed to post almost double the sales of the BYD. This was enough to easily claim class victory yet again.
Most of the common veterans here remained relatively stable, with the BMW 3 Series bringing home the most sales out of the big three German brands. The Lexus ES was the best non-German contender aside from the Tesla.
This class reported a combined effort of 3199 units in May, up 6.2 per cent on last May. The year-to-date total is down 16.7 per cent. See below for the full results in this class in May 2024, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:
- Tesla Model 3: 1958 (+50.8%)
- BMW 3 Series: 287 (-29.1%)
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class: 250 (-24.2%)
- BMW i4: 198 (+661.5%)
- Lexus ES: 121 (-44.0%)
- Mercedes-Benz CLA: 85 (-18.3%)
- Audi A4: 67 (-10.7%)
- Hyundai IONIQ 6: 66 (+8.2%)
- Audi A5 Sportback: 56 (+30.2%)
- BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe: 45 (-58.3%)
- Alfa Romeo Giulia: 17 (+30.8%)
- Volvo V60 Cross Country: 14 (-44.0%)
- Volkswagen Arteon: 11 (-83.1%)
- Volvo S60: 10 (+100.0%)
- Genesis G70: 6 (-100.0%)
- Jaguar XE: 5 (-54.5%)
- Peugeot 508: 3 (+50%)
- Polestar 2: 0 (No longer reported)
In the large below $70,000 segment we see the numbers falling even further. Just three vehicles compete here, with the Skoda Superb at the top now that Kia Stinger sales are at zero.
The two vehicles added together a total of 15 units, down 95.6 per cent on last May. See below for the full results for May 2024, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:
- Skoda Superb: 9 (-55.0%)
- Citroen C5 X: 6 (-14.3%)
- Kia Stinger: 0 (-100%)
Moving across into the large above $70,000 segment, and it’s the Mercedes E-Class back in the lead. It hasn’t been at the top for a while, usually leaving the door open for the BMW 5 Series. Most of the lineup remained pretty stable in terms of the standings.
Combined class efforts reached 176 units, which is down 21.8 per cent. The YTD score of 820 units is down 15.9 per cent. See below for the complete results for this segment, with the percentage change compared with May last year in brackets:
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class: 64 (+33.3%)
- BMW 5 Series: 44 (+83.3%)
- Porsche Taycan: 22 (-47.6%) / Mercedes-Benz EQE: 22 (-66.2%)
- Audi A6: 12 (-33.3%)
- Audi e-tron GT: 7 (-56.3%)
- Genesis G80: 2 (0.0%) / Jaguar XF: 2 (0.0%)
- Audi A7: 1 (-50.0%)
- Maserati Ghibli: 0 (-100.0%)
- Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class: 0 (-100.0%)
- Toyota Mirai: 0 (N/A)
Into the high-end upper large above $100,000 segment, the Porsche Panamera took the crown in May. Sales for it are down 50 per cent compared with last May. Most other contenders reported very low or zero sales.
The class’s overall figure was 26 units for May, down 49 per cent on last May. See below for the full results for this class in May 2024, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:
- Porsche Panamera: 7 (-50.0%)
- BMW 7 Series: 5 (-44.4%) / BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe: 5 (-16.7%)
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class: 3 (-57.1%)
- BMW i7: 2 (-33.3%)
- Rolls-Royce Sedan: 1 (-80.0%)
- Mercedes-AMG GT 4D: 1 (0.0)
- Audi A8: 1 (0.0%)
- Bentley sedan: 1 (-50.0%)
- BMW 6 Series GT: 0 (0.0%)
- Lexus LS: 0 (-100.0%)
- Maserati Quattroporte: 0 (0.0)
- Mercedes-Benz EQS: 0 (-100.0%)
Driver’s cars were led by the Subaru BRZ in the entry sports below $80,000 class, followed by the Mazda MX-5 and then the Nissan Z. The Nissan Z recently welcomed the Nismo version which could cause a little sales spike in the coming months.
Combined efforts topped 283 units for the month, down 54.5 per cent compared with May last year. See below for the full results for the month, with the percentage change compared with May 2023 in brackets:
- Subaru BRZ: 105 (-22.2%)
- Mazda MX-5: 62 (+106.7%)
- Nissan Z: 44 (+41.9%)
- MINI Cabrio: 40 (+150.0%)
- Toyota GR86: 31 (-69.3%)
- Ford Mustang: 1 (-99.7%)
Stepping up, the sports above $80,000 segment, and it’s the BMW 2 Series that continues to lead the way. It’s enjoying an 88.2 per cent growth in sales so far this year (YTD), even overshadowing its big brother, the 4 Series.
Overall class efforts topped 476 units, down 7.9 per cent on last May. The year-to-date tally is looking okay though, up 10.7 per cent. See below for the full segment results, with the percentage change compared with May 2023 in brackets:
- BMW 2 Series coupe/convertible: 205 (+19.9%)
- BMW 4 Series coupe/convertible: 52 (-30.7%)
- Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class: 50 (0.0)
- Chevrolet Corvette Stingray: 48 (+45.5%)
- Porsche Cayman: 24 (-27.3%)
- Porsche Boxster: 22 (+29.4%)
- Toyota GR Supra: 17 (-19.0%)
- Audi A5: 12 (-29.4%) / Lexus LC: 12 (+300.0%)
- Lotus Emira: 10 (0.0)
- BMW Z4: 9 (+12.5%)
- Jaguar F-Type: 6 (+100.0%)
- Audi TT: 4 (-50.0%)
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe/convertible: 3 (-96.7%)
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe/convertible: 2 (-92.3%)
In the elite class, the sports above $200,000 segment, the Porsche 911 remains in front. Ferrari and Lamborghini were neck and neck, with Bentley not too far behind.
Combined efforts reached 124 units in May, down 16.2 per cent on last May. The YTD tally is up 46.6 per cent. See below for the full lineup results, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:
- Porsche 911: 47 (-26.6%)
- Lamborghini coupe/convertible: 19 (+58.3%)
- Ferrari coupe/convertible: 18 (-28.0%)
- Bentley coupe/convertible: 14 (-22.2%)
- McLaren coupe/convertible: 6 (-62.5%)
- Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: 6 (+200.0%)
- Aston Martin coupe/convertible: 6 (+50.0%)
- Rolls-Royce coupe/convertible: 4 (0.0)
- BMW 8 Series: 4 (-20.0%)
- Maserati coupe/convertible: 0 (-100.0%)
Over in the SUVs, the Toyota RAV4 was the best-selling model outright once again, while the Tesla Model Y was the best-selling premium SUV.
Across the top three categories, the SUV Medium below $60,000 class was the most popular, with 19,650 sales (up 14.5 per cent for the month), followed by the SUV Small below $45,000 category with 13,063 sales (up 3.9 per cent), and then the SUV Large below $70,000 class with 10,423 sales (up 8.4 per cent).
See below for the complete results for each SUV category for May 2024, with the percentage change compared with the same month last year in brackets:
Best-selling SUVs – Light
- Mazda CX-3: 1300 (+8.1%)
- Suzuki Jimny: 878 (+17.4%)
- Hyundai Venue: 614 (-4.1%)
- Toyota Yaris Cross: 594 (+75.2%)
- Kia Stonic: 419 (-52.0%)
- Suzuki Ignis: 171 (-14.9%)
- Nissan Juke: 107 (-0.9%)
- Ford Puma: 55 (-78.3%)
- Renault Captur: 25 (-87.1%)
- Volkswagen T-Cross: 8 (-98.3%)
Best-selling SUVs – Small below $45,000
- Hyundai Kona: 1842 (+127.4%)
- MG ZS: 1841 (-26.4%)
- GWM Haval Jolion: 1265 (+17.6%)
- Mazda CX-30: 1010 (-13.6%)
- Toyota Corolla Cross: 957 (+127.3%)
- Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: 920 (+61.4%)
- Mitsubishi ASX: 842 (+53.4%)
- Subaru Crosstrek: 783 (-30.5%)
- Volkswagen T-Roc: 732 (-22.9%)
- Kia Seltos: 692 (-39.7%)
- Nissan Qashqai: 518 (+10.4%)
- Chery Omoda 5: 456 (-21.9%)
- Toyota C-HR: 274 (-38.8%)
- Suzuki Vitara: 263 (+260.3%)
- Honda HR-V: 261 (+210.7%)
- Skoda Kamiq: 133 (-17.9%)
- Peugeot 2008: 119 (+643.8%)
- Jeep Compass: 55 (-61.0%)
- Suzuki S-Cross: 48 (-18.6%)
- Renault Arkana: 41 (-73.0%)
- Mazda MX-30: 9 (-82.0%)
- Citroen C4: 2 (-66.7%)
- Subaru XV: 0 (-100.0%)
Best-selling SUVs – Small above $45,000
- Audi Q3: 533 (+18.4%)
- Volvo EX30: 466 (new vehicle)
- Volvo XC40: 256 (-58.6%)
- Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class: 232 (+34.1%)
- BMW X2: 203 (+968.4%)
- Mercedes-Benz EQA: 172 (+38.7%)
- Lexus LBX: 168 (new vehicle)
- Audi Q2: 147 (+38.7%)
- Kia Niro: 123 (-22.2%)
- Lexus UX: 87 (-76.5%)
- MINI Countryman: 77 (-53.0%)
- Volvo C40: 50 (-69.7%)
- Alfa Romeo Tonale: 21 (+10.5%)
- Jaguar E-Pace: 13 (0.0)
- Genesis GV60: 7 (-70.8%)
Best-selling SUVs – Medium below $60,000
- Toyota RAV4: 5517 (+110.9%)
- Mitsubishi Outlander: 2500 (+33.0%)
- Mazda CX-5: 2108 (+14.2%)
- Kia Sportage: 1790 (+59.1%)
- Hyundai Tucson: 1434 (-25.0%)
- Nissan X-Trail: 1194 (+13.7%)
- Subaru Forester: 1042 (-0.3%)
- GWM Haval H6: 847 (+1.4%)
- BYD Atto 3: 737 (-49.1%)
- Honda CR-V: 535 (-7.9%)
- Volkswagen Tiguan: 427 (-40.1%)
- Honda ZR-V: 367 (+364.6%)
- GWM Haval H6 GT: 311 (-15.9%)
- MG HS: 279 (-65.9%)
- Chery Tiggo 7 Pro: 175 (new vehicle)
- Chery Tiggo 8 Pro: 87 (new vehicle)
- Skoda Karoq: 72 (-27.3%)
- Renault Koleos: 63 (-79.2%)
- Peugeot 3008: 56 (+5.7%) / Ford Escape: 56 (-82.6%)
- SsangYong Korando: 49 (-29.0%)
- Citroen C5 Aircross: 4 (-33.3%)
- Jeep Cherokee: 0 (-100%)
Best-selling SUVs – Medium above $60,000
- Tesla Model Y: 1609 (-49.4%)
- BMW X3: 393 (+15.9%)
- Lexus NX: 384 (-30.1%)
- Mercedes-Benz GLC: 319 (+45.7%)
- Mazda CX-60: 307 (+996.4)
- Audi Q5: 302 (-33.0%)
- Porsche Macan: 204 (-48.1%)
- Volvo XC60: 196 (-27.4%)
- Mercedes-Benz GLB: 152 (-30.0%)
- Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe: 145 (-5.2%)
- Hyundai IONIQ 5: 120 (+166.7%)
- Cupra Formentor: 119 (-22.2%)
- BMW X4: 82 (+51.9%)
- Cupra Ateca: 77 (+999%)
- Toyota bZ4x: 73 (new vehicle)
- Genesis GV70: 52 (-59.1%)
- Subaru Solterra: 45 (new vehicle)
- Range Rover Evoque: 41 (-36.9%)
- Maserati Gracale: 29 (-56.1%)
- Mercedes-Benz EQB: 22 (-69.0%)
- Land Rover Discovery Sport: 7 (-68.2%)
- Mercedes-Benz EQC: 6 (-82.9%)
- Alfa Romeo Stelvio: 4 (-84.0%)
- Peugeot 408: 3 (new vehicle) / Peugeot 5008: 3 (-83.3%)
- Hyundai Nexo: 0 (0.0%)
Best-selling SUVs – Large below $70,000
- Ford Everest: 2110 (+159.9%)
- Isuzu MU-X: 1789 (+61.2%)
- Subaru Outback: 995 (+25.9%)
- Kia Sorento: 994 (+43.2%)
- Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: 742 (+184.3%)
- Hyundai Santa Fe: 680 (+7.1%)
- Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace: 482 (+20.8%)
- Toyota Kluger: 397 (-40.8%)
- GWM Tank 300: 366 (+999)
- Hyundai Palisade: 344 (-13.4%)
- Mazda CX-8: 305 (-35.1%)
- Toyota Fortuner: 253 (-31.3%)
- LDV D90: 236 (-20.0%)
- GWM Tank 500: 222 (new vehicle)
- SsangYong Rexton: 155 (-22.1%)
- Skoda Kodiaq: 118 (-34.1%)
- Toyota Prado: 90 (-93.7%)
- Jeep Wrangler: 57 (-47.2%) / Nissan Pathfinder: 57 (-69.8%)
- Mazda CX-9: 18 (-96.9%)
- Volkswagen Passat Alltrack: 13 (-31.6%)
- Dodge Journey: 0 (0.0%)
- Mitsubishi Pajero: 0 (-100.0%)
Best-selling SUVs – Large above $70,000
- BMW X5: 404 (+99.0%)
- Land Rover Defender: 323 (-31.4%)
- Range Rover Sport: 207 (-30.8%)
- Lexus RX: 183 (-62.6%)
- Kia EV6: 181 (+74.0%)
- Mercedes-Benz GLE: 115 (-64.6%)
- Porsche Cayenne Coupe: 97 (+21.3%)
- Mazda CX-90: 93 (new model) / Volkswagen Touareg: 93 (+20.8%)
- BMW X6: 90 (+125.0%)
- Audi Q7: 71 (-39.3%)
- Porsche Cayenne: 65 (+54.8%)
- Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV: 60 (new model)
- Volvo XC90: 50 (-58.7%)
- Jeep Grand Cherokee: 39 (-70.0%)
- BMW iX: 34 (-60.5%)
- Mercedes-Benz GLE coupe: 31 (-61.3%) / Jaguar F-Pace: 31 (+14.8%) / Audi Q8: 31 (-39.2%)
- Ford Mustang Mach-E: 30 (new model)
- Genesis GV80: 26 (-25.7%)
- Range Rover Velar: 22 (-72.8%)
- Lexus RZ: 20 (-54.5%)
- Audi e-tron: 15 (+7.1%)
- Genesis GV80 Coupe: 12 (new vehicle)
- Maserati Levante: 2 (-80.0%)
- Jaguar I-Pace: 1 (-66.7%)
Best-selling SUVs – Upper large below $120,000
- Toyota LandCruiser: 1482 (+8.7%)
- Nissan Patrol: 622 (-24.2%)
- Kia EV9: 49 (new vehicle)
- Land Rover Discovery: 48 (-14.3%)
Best-selling SUVs – Upper large above $120,000
- BMW X7: 109 (+91.2%)
- Mercedes-Benz GLS: 44 (-53.7%)
- Range Rover: 39 (-63.6%)
- Mercedes-Benz G-Class: 34 (+6.3%)
- Lexus LX: 28 (-76.7%)
- Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV: 19 (new vehicle)
- Lamborghini Urus: 15 (+87.5%)
- BMW XM: 12 (-29.4%)
- Bentley Bentayga: 5 (-72.2%)
- Aston Martin DBX: 6 (+20.0%)
- Ferrari Purosangue: 4 (new vehicle)
- Rolls-Royce Cullinan: 2 (100.0%)
And finally, the all-important utes. We’re looking at the 4×2 and 4×4 combined figures, including the big American trucks. This class will soon welcome the new Kia Tasman and the BYD Shark ute, while Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Isuzu have all recently introduced updates for the HiLux, Triton and D-Max.
See below for the top 15 best-selling utes in Australia for May 2024, according to VFACTS, including 4×2 and 4×4 and the large above $100,000 segments combined:
- Ford Ranger: 5912
- Toyota HiLux: 5702
- Isuzu D-Max: 2612
- Mitsubishi Triton: 1405
- Mazda BT-50: 1383
- Toyota LandCruiser 70: 1096
- Volkswagen Amarok: 911
- Nissan Navara: 845
- GWM Ute: 692
- LDV T60/T60 EV: 513
- SsangYong Musso: 420
- RAM 1500: 207
- Chevrolet Silverado: 205
- Chervolet Silverado HD: 127
- Ford F-150: 39
To recap, Australian consumers took delivery of 111,099 new vehicles in May this year, which is up 5.1 per cent on May in 2023. The year-to-date total for the first five months of the year is 512,753 units, up 12.2 per cent on the same period last year.
Dividing up the energy sources, petrol vehicles made up 45,262 sales (down 13.5 per cent for May), diesel contributed 34,479 units (up 7.4 per cent), and hybrid made up 16,218 units (up 113.4 per cent). Electric vehicles made up 8974 units (up 10.5 per cent), and PHEV included 1373 units (up 73.6 per cent).
