
Australia's automotive market has achieved an unprecedented milestone, breaking all-time records for new vehicle sales in 2023. A total of 1,216,780 vehicles were delivered during the year, with Toyota as the top-selling brand with 17.7% of the market. While the Australian car market is expected to continue growing in the coming years, it is likely to face challenges such as the high cost of imported cars and the increasing popularity of SUVs and crossovers. Despite a downward trend in new car sales in 2019, the market bounced back with a record-breaking year in 2023, with more new cars sold than ever before. This article will explore the number of cars sold annually in Australia and the factors influencing these sales.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total cars sold in Australia in 2023 | 3.3 million |
| Number of new cars sold in 2023 | 1.2 million |
| Number of used cars sold in 2023 | 2 million |
| Percentage of new cars that were electric, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid | 16.2% |
| Number of SUVs sold in 2022 | 574,632 |
| Number of light commercial vehicles sold in 2022 | 256,382 |
| Number of passenger vehicles sold in 2022 | 203,056 |
| Number of heavy commercial vehicles sold in 2022 | 47,359 |
| Top-selling car brand in 2022 | Toyota |
| Number of cars sold by Toyota in 2022 | 231,050 |
| Number of cars sold by Mazda in 2022 | 95,718 |
| Number of cars sold by Kia in 2022 | 78,330 |
| Number of cars sold by Mitsubishi in 2022 | 76,991 |
| Number of cars sold by Hyundai in 2022 | 73,345 |
| Number of cars sold in 2019 | 1,062,867 |
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What You'll Learn

Sales of new cars in Australia
In 2019, new car sales in Australia dipped by 7.8% to 1,062,867, the lowest level since 2011. This downward trend continued into 2022, with the Australian car market facing various challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, microprocessor shortages, and global shipping issues. The pandemic had a significant impact on the industry, causing sales to plummet by 15% in 2020. However, the market recovered somewhat in 2021, with sales increasing by 10%.
Despite the overall decline in new car sales, the popularity of certain vehicle types and brands has shifted. SUVs and light commercial vehicles have gained traction, with the Toyota Hilux, a light commercial vehicle, topping motor vehicle sales in Australia for the first time in 2016. This shift in buyer preferences has resulted in a decrease in the proportion of passenger car sales. In addition, there has been a growing demand for electric and hybrid vehicles, with 16.2% of all new cars sold in 2023 falling into these categories.
The most popular car brands in Australia include Toyota, which was the top-selling brand in 2022 and 2023, followed by Mazda and Hyundai. Toyota's Hilux and Corolla models, along with the Ford Ranger, are consistently ranked as the best-selling vehicles.
While the Australian automotive market faces challenges, such as the high cost of imported cars, it is expected to continue growing. The country's high car-per-person ratio and strong sales figures per capita contribute to its position as a significant player in the global car market.
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Sales of used cars in Australia
The Australian automotive market has seen a surge in sales over the years, with a record-breaking year in 2023. While new car sales have been robust, the used car market has also demonstrated strong performance.
In 2023, the combined new and used car market in Australia witnessed the sale of nearly 3.3 million cars. Notably, used cars outsold new cars, with over 2 million pre-owned vehicles finding new owners. This trend continued into 2024, with a slight increase in new car purchases compared to 2022.
The used car market in Australia offers a diverse range of options for buyers. Popular brands like Toyota, Volkswagen, Kia, and Ford are prevalent in the second-hand market. Websites such as CARS24 offer a wide selection of used cars, including SUVs, hatchbacks, and sedans, catering to various budgets. The platform also provides convenient features like a 7-day return policy, easy finance options, and warranties.
The pricing dynamics of used cars in Australia are intriguing. Throughout 2023, the resale value of used cars fluctuated. The highest resale value was observed in February and March, with used cars selling at 75.8% of their original retail price. December saw a drop to 67%, making it the most affordable time to purchase a used car that year.
The availability of used cars in Australia is facilitated by various sales channels. According to a survey, most respondents acquired their used cars from the open market. Interestingly, one in ten individuals purchased their vehicle from someone they personally knew, with younger buyers aged 18 to 27 being more likely to resort to this method.
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Sales of electric cars in Australia
In 2021, Australia recorded 20,665 electric vehicle (EV) sales, a significant increase from the 6,900 sold in 2020. This meant that electric cars made up 1.95% of the new car market, or 2.39% according to another source. This was a milestone for Australia, a country that has been lagging behind other parts of the world in terms of renewable energy and electric vehicle sales. In the first half of 2021, 8,688 electric vehicles were sold in Australia.
The increase in sales can be attributed to the mix of supportive policies introduced by individual states and territories, designed to support uptake, including stamp duty waivers, rebates, and incentives. For example, in 2022, the Western Australian government announced $60 million in funding to support the adoption of electric vehicles, including 10,000 rebates of $3,500 for Western Australians who purchase a new electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The package also included funding for new charging infrastructure. In the same year, New South Wales announced $38 million towards electric vehicle charging infrastructure, with the aim of building 500 kerbside charging points and equipping 125 apartment buildings with new EV charging upgrades.
In 2023, 16.2% of all new cars sold in Australia were either hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or fully electric vehicles. This is a promising increase, although electric vehicles still lag behind in sales compared to other countries. For example, electric vehicles make up 11.2% of the market in Western Europe, and around 3% in the US.
In 2022, Tesla outstripped other car makers in electric vehicle sales in Australia, with the Tesla Model 3 being the bestselling electric car, accounting for 58.5% of all EVs sold.
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Sales of cars by brand in Australia
In 2023, the combined new and used car market in Australia sold almost 3.3 million cars. While used cars outsold new cars, there were still over 1.2 million new cars delivered to drivers.
Toyota was the top-selling brand in 2023, with 231,050 vehicles sold. The Toyota Hilux was the top-selling vehicle, and the company also sold the most hybrid cars. Mazda was the second-highest selling brand, with 95,718 vehicles sold, followed by Kia with 78,330, Mitsubishi with 76,991, and Hyundai with 73,345.
In 2024, Toyota remained the market leader for the 22nd consecutive year, with sales of over 241,000 vehicles, almost half of which were hybrids. A total of 172,696 hybrid cars were sold in Australia in 2024, with Toyota accounting for 118,081 of those sales. The top five Toyota hybrids sold were:
- Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
- Toyota Corolla Hybrid
- Toyota Camry Hybrid
- Toyota Kluger Hybrid
- Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid
Other brands also posted strong results in 2024. A total of 1,237,287 new vehicles were sold, a 1.7% increase on the previous year. The Ford Ranger retained its position as the top-selling vehicle in Australia, with 63,356 sold.
In 2025, Toyota and Ford continued to be among the top-selling brands, with Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger being the most popular vehicles in May and June.
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Sales of cars by type in Australia
Sales of cars in Australia have seen some fluctuations in recent years, with a mix of new and used vehicles being purchased. In 2023, the combined new and used car market in Australia witnessed nearly 3.3 million cars sold. While used cars outsold new cars, the new car market set a record with over 1.2 million sales. This trend continued into 2024, with a slight increase in new car sales over 2022, and a record-breaking year for new vehicle sales, delivering over one million cars.
The types of cars sold in Australia vary, with a shift in buyer preferences over time. In 2012, 972,236 imported passenger vehicles were sold, indicating a market for smaller cars. However, in recent years, there has been a notable shift towards larger vehicles, with SUVs and light commercial vehicles gaining popularity. In 2022, SUVs and light commercial vehicles accounted for 78.4% of sales, with Toyota Hilux, a light commercial vehicle, topping national sales. This shift in preference has resulted in a reduction in the proportion of passenger car sales.
SUVs, in particular, have experienced a surge in popularity. In 2023, they overtook sedans as the most popular type of car owned by Australians, and this trend continued into 2024, with almost one-third of respondents in a survey identifying SUVs as their everyday car. This shift is further emphasised by the increase in sales of small and medium SUVs in 2024.
In addition to the growing popularity of SUVs, there has been a notable increase in the number of hybrid cars on Australian roads. While most new cars purchased in 2023 ran on petrol, 16.2% were either hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), or fully electric vehicles. This trend continued into 2024, with strong growth in hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, including small and medium SUVs. A total of 172,696 hybrid cars were sold in Australia in 2024, with Toyota influencing the market significantly.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have also gained traction in Australia, with a 4.7% increase in sales from 2023 to 2024. However, the demand for EVs is relatively weak compared to other advanced markets, and sales have softened in 2024, possibly due to high-interest rates and cost-of-living pressures deterring buyers.
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Frequently asked questions
A record-breaking 1,216,780 new cars were sold in Australia in 2023.
Over 2 million used cars were sold in Australia in 2023.
More than 1 million new cars were delivered to drivers in Australia in 2022.
1,062,867 new cars were sold in Australia in 2019.
Australia has been selling about 1 million cars every year for over a decade.











































