Australia’s new vehicle sales fell 15.3 per cent during November – the second month in succession – reflective of ongoing stock shortages created principally by semiconductor supply constraints.
Sales across all eight States and Territories went backwards compared to November 2020’s tally – though it’s important to note that last year’s 11th month was a ripper, having turned around 31 successive months of decline.
- Toyota fell nearly 35 per cent yet stayed on top
- China’s MG, GWM and LDV surged upwards
- Honda took another sales dive
- Ford Ranger topped the model charts
- EVs and PHEVs were both up more than 200 per cent
- Business fleet sales tumbled nearly 30 per cent
VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) shows that 80,639 new vehicles were sold in November, down from 95,205 in the same month last year.
This figure doesn’t include Tesla, which alone among the mainstream brands doesn’t disclose sales data.
“Demand across the sector remains strong with the drop in sales reflecting well recognised international supply chain issues,” said FCAI chief executive Tony Weber.
“This includes constraints around microprocessor supplies as well as the ongoing impact of the pandemic restricting factories.
“Car makers are competing with many other sectors, such as white goods manufacturers, for microprocessors across the globe. Some new vehicles sold in the Australian market can require up to 3000 of these parts, so this shortage is definitely being felt by the industry.
“Challenges aside, we are less than 29,000 vehicles away from 1 million new cars being put into the hands of Australian motorists in 2021,” Mr Weber concluded.
Year-to-date (TYD) sales with just December to go show that Australians have purchased 971,429 new cars and commercials this year, up 18.3 per cent on a heavily interrupted 2020.
Last year excluded, the YTD tally for 2021 is the lowest since 2011. In simpler terms, despite strong post-COVID demand the overall rate of car sales is back where it was a decade ago.
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Brands
Toyota’s supply out of various Southeast Asian plants has been decimated lately and most of its core cars are subject to wait lists, yet despite a sales downturn it maintained 18.9 per cent market share and its strong lead. Unbreakable indeed…
Hyundai snagged second spot by almost breaking even compared to November 2020, edging out both Ford and Mitsubishi. Mazda sales tumbled 41.5 per cent, pushing the usual silver medallist into fifth spot for the month – though it sits comfortably in second spot YTD, still.
Rounding out the top 10 were Kia, a rampaging MG which finished a remarkable seventh place, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Subaru. BMW and Mercedes-Benz were knocking on the door (the Bavarian brand took the honours), with Isuzu Ute sandwiched between.
While MG remains the number-one Chinese brand, Great Wall Motor (GWM and Haval) conquered LDV, though both brands were up. Completing the top 20 were Suzuki, Honda (tumbling to 17th), Audi, Renault, and Jeep.
| BRAND | NOV SALES | CHANGE |
| Toyota | 15,239 | Down 34.3% |
| Hyundai | 6854 | Down 0.7% |
| Ford | 6215 | Down 6.0% |
| Mitsubishi | 5720 | Up 4.2% |
| Mazda | 5295 | Down 41.5% |
| Kia | 4915 | Down 8.6% |
| MG | 3743 | Up 85.2% |
| Nissan | 3509 | Down 12.3% |
| Volkswagen | 3098 | Down 5.5% |
| Subaru | 2712 | Down 15.3% |
| BMW | 2211 | Down 16.5% |
| Isuzu Ute | 2138 | Down 27.4% |
| Mercedes-Benz | 2110 | Down 33.7% |
| GWM | 1972 | Up 228.7% |
| LDV | 1771 | Up 30.4% |
| Suzuki | 1465 | Down 1.7% |
| Honda | 1362 | Down 45.8% |
| Audi | 1293 | Down 28.9% |
| Renault | 1028 | No change |
| Jeep | 632 | Down 14.9% |
| Lexus | 628 | Down 40.4% |
| Skoda | 560 | Down 18.6% |
| Volvo Car | 554 | Down 33.7% |
| Ram Trucks | 395 | Up 73.2% |
| SsangYong | 270 | Up 12.5% |
| Porsche | 264 | Down 37.4% |
| Peugeot | 261 | Up 38.1% |
| Land Rover | 253 | Down 54.8% |
| Fiat | 221 | Up 57.8% |
| Mini | 209 | Down 36.9% |
| Chevrolet | 177 | N/A |
| Genesis | 100 | Up 108.3% |
| Maserati | 57 | Up 72.7% |
| Jaguar | 55 | Down 36% |
| Alfa Romeo | 41 | Down 24.1% |
| Citroen | 32 | Up 23.1% |
| Ferrari | 26 | Up 188.9% |
| Bentley | 21 | Down 19.2% |
| Aston Martin | 15 | Up 50.0% |
| Chrysler | 10 | Down 23.1% |
| Lamborghini | 10 | Up 25.0% |
| Alpine | 9 | Up 800.0 % |
| McLaren | 6 | No change |
| Rolls-Royce | 4 | Down 50.0% |
| Lotus | 3 | Down 40.0% |
The five biggest growth brands by volume were: MG, GWM, LDV (all three being Chinese), Mitsubishi and Chevrolet, as sold by GMSV. The five biggest losers by volume were: Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, and Isuzu Ute.
In most cases, but not all, this was caused by supply shortages rather than lack of demand.
Models
| BRAND | NOV SALES | CHANGE |
| Ford Ranger | 4429 | Up 4.0% |
| Toyota HiLux | 4228 | Down 16.1% |
| Hyundai i30 | 2254 | Up 10.1% |
| Toyota Corolla | 2104 | Down 24.2% |
| Toyota RAV4 | 1820 | Down 52.1% |
| Nissan Navara | 1792 | Up 78.1% |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 1633 | Up 53.8% |
| Mitsubishi ASX | 1625 | Up 10.9% |
| MG ZS | 1576 | Up 39.1% |
| Hyundai Tucson | 1541 | Down 22.8% |
| Toyota Kluger | 1466 | Up 209.3% |
| Isuzu D-Max | 1407 | Down 32.8% |
| MG 3 | 1366 | Up 116.1% |
| Nissan X-Trail | 1328 | Down 5.5% |
| Toyota LandCruiser 70 C/C & Troopie | 1197 | Up 23.9% |
| Subaru Outback | 1174 | Up 103.8% |
| Toyota HiAce | 1122 | Doen 32.6% |
| Ford Everest | 1038 | Up 46.2% |
| Mazda CX-30 | 1027 | Down 1.1% |
| Kia Cerato | 1015 | Down 37.5% |
Segments
We can also identify the most popular models in each vehicle segment.
- Micro Cars: Mitsubishi Mirage (649), Kia Picanto (511), Fiat 500 (81)
- Light Cars under $25,000: MG 3 (1366), Volkswagen Polo (486), Kia Rio (381)
- Light Cars over $25,000: Mini Hatch (129), Audi A1 (28), Citroen C3 (13)
- Small Cars under $40,000: Hyundai i30 (2254), Toyota Corolla (2104), Kia Cerato (1015)
- Small Cars over $40,000: BMW 1 Series (228), BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (167), Mercedes-Benz A-Class (160)
- Medium Cars under $60,000: Toyota Camry (967), Volkswagen Passat (123), Mazda 6 (115)
- Medium Cars over $60,000: BMW 3 Series (422), Mercedes-Benz CLA (110), Lexus ES (104)
- Large Cars under $70,000: Kia Stinger (37), Skoda Superb (33)
- Large Cars over $70,000: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (68), BMW 5 Series (30), Porsche Taycan (20)
- Upper Large Cars: Mercedes-Benz S-Class (24), Chrysler 300 (10), BMW 7 Series (9)
- People Movers: Kia Carnival (386), Hyundai Staria (182), LDV G10 (128)
- Sports Cars under $80,000: Ford Mustang (294), Mazda MX-5 (76), Nissan 370Z (23)
- Sports Cars over $80,000: BMW 4 Series (82), Mercedes-Benz C-Class (53), Mercedes-Benz E-Class (24)
- Sports Cars over $200,000: Porsche 911 (39), Ferrari range (26), Aston Martin coupe/conv (12)
- Light SUVs: Kia Stonic (799), Toyota Yaris Cross (627), Hyundai Venue (586)
- Small SUVs under $40,000: Mitsubishi ASX (1625), MG ZS (1576), Mazda CX-30 (1027)
- Small SUVs over $40,000: Audi Q3 (527), BMW X1 (165), Lexus UX (126)
- Medium SUVs under $60,000: Toyota RAV4 (1820), Mitsubishi Outlander (1633), Hyundai Tucson (1541)
- Medium SUVs over $60,000: BMW X3 (393), Volvo XC60 (328), Mercedes-Benz GLC (296)
- Large SUVs under $70,000: Toyota Kluger (1466), Subaru Outback (1174), Ford Everest (1038)
- Large SUVs over $70,000: Mercedes-Benz GLE (326), BMW X5 (258), Audi Q7 (151)
- Upper Large SUVs under $100,000: Toyota LandCruiser Wagon (155), Nissan Patrol (55)
- Upper Large SUVs over $100,000: Mercedes-Benz GLS (123), BMW X7 (99), Mercedes-Benz G-Class (44)
- Light Vans: Renault Kangoo (109), Volkswagen Caddy (64), Peugeot Partner (7)
- Medium Vans: Toyota HiAce (896), LDV G10/G10+ (449), Mitsubishi Express (221)
- Large Vans: LDV Deliver 9 (200), Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (155), Fiat Ducato (140)
- Light Buses: Toyota HiAce (226), Ford Transit (44), LDV Deliver 9 (25)
- 4×2 Utes: Toyota HiLux (1479), Isuzu D-Max (509), Ford Ranger (481)
- 4×4 Utes: Ford Ranger (3948), Toyota HiLux (2749), Nissan Navara (1608)
October 2021 Australian new vehicle sales (VFACTS)
Got any questions about car sales? Ask away in the comments and I’ll jump in!
