VFACTS June 2024: Soft finish for record half-year

The first half of 2024 set a record for new car sales in Australia, despite a drop in June.

A total of 632,412 new vehicles were sold in Australia in the first half of 2024, up 8.7 per cent year to date and surpassing the previous record of 605,522 sales set in the opening six months of 2018.

However, sales in June were down 4.2 per cent when compared with June 2023, though it was still the second-highest result in the month since 2019.

A total of 119,659 vehicles were sold throughout June 2024, with sales down in every state and territory bar the Australian Capital Territory. An increase in government sales weren’t enough to offset declines across private, corporate and rental fleet buyers.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Though electric vehicle (EV) sales increased over the month prior, they were down 13.2 per cent on June 2023.

All up, EVs accounted for 8.0 per cent of new car sales in June, down from 8.8 per cent in June 2023.

Nevertheless, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) says it hopes for EVs to crack 100,000 sales in 2024.

EV sales year-to-date are up 16.5 per cent.

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Hybrids and plug-in hybrids have recorded a significant increase in market share. Combined, they accounted for 14.4 per cent of the market compared to 7.8 per cent in June 2023.

Year-to-date, hybrid and plug-in hybrid sales are up a whopping 114.6 per cent, driven largely by market leader Toyota.

“The end of the financial year has traditionally been a strong month for vehicle sales and achieving 632,412 sales in just six months is a testament to the resilience of the market,” said FCAI chief executive Tony Weber.

Brands

Toyota retains its mighty grip on the new car market, and though its sales were down 0.2 per cent on June 2023, its sales are up 31.5 per cent year-to-date.

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Ford has edged past Mazda for second place, with sales up 22.4 per cent in June and 30.0 per cent year-to-date.

Mazda sales have dipped slightly, both for the month of June and for the first half of this year, but it has retained its podium position.

Kia is sitting in fourth, comfortably ahead of sister brand Hyundai which sits in sixth.

Mitsubishi is sandwiched in between the South Korean siblings, and has posted significant gains. Its sales were up 48.9 per cent year-on-year for the month of June, and are up 28.5 per cent year-to-date.

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Sitting in seventh for the month is Tesla. While that’s an impressive finish for a brand offering just two vehicles, its sales were down 33.3 per cent on June 2023, and they’re down 9.6 per cent year-to-date.

The top 10 was rounded out by Subaru, Isuzu Ute and Nissan.

Nissan is bouncing back in the sales race, with 4293 vehicles sold in June representing an improvement of 55.6 per cent on June 2023’s tally. Its sales are also up an impressive 44.2 per cent.

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Honda is also bouncing back. Its sales were up 34.2 per cent on June 2023, and are up 28.8 per cent year-to-date, bolstered by a larger lineup than last year.

BMW had a huge month, with 3146 sales, up 87.5 per cent. It’s up 9.1 per cent year-to-date.

In terms of brands that aren’t doing so well, MG sales were down 29.8 per cent on June 2023 and are down 7.9 per cent year-to-date, while Volkswagen’s were down 26.7 per cent year-on-year and 10.0 per cent year-to-date.

Some brands saw steeper declines. LDV’s were down 40 per cent for the month and 21.8 per cent for the first half, while Renault was down 33.1 per cent and 32.9 per cent respectively.

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Cupra looks to have run out of steam somewhat, down 57.9 per cent on June 2023 and 27.5 per cent year-to-date, while fellow Volkswagen Group brand Skoda is having a rough 2024 with sales down 44.9 per cent for June and 25.7 per cent year-to-date.

Stellantis brands had an even rougher trot. Ram was down 65.3 per cent year-on-year and 50.8 per cent year-to-date, while Maserati was down 62.9 per cent and 37.3 per cent respectively.

Jeep had the most significant declines, though. Its sales were down 73.4 per cent for the month, and 52 per cent for the first half of the year. Its abysmal June showing saw it outsold by Peugeot (255 sales vs. 174 sales).

Polestar stopped reporting its sales figures to the FCAI earlier this year, however it has confirmed to CarExpert that it sold 356 vehicles in June and has sold 950 year-to-date.

Models

Segments

The following are the segment leaders for the month of June 2024.

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Sales by category

Top segments by market share

Sales by region

Sales by buyer type

Sales by fuel or propulsion type

Sales by country of origin

MORE: VFACTS May 2024: Hybrid and EV sales drive another record monthMORE: VFACTS April 2024: Record month, hybrids and plug-in hybrids surgeMORE: VFACTS March 2024: Big month leads to record quarterly resultMORE: VFACTS February 2024: Another record month for Australian new car salesMORE: VFACTS January 2024: Record start to the year but slower times ahead