Australian new-car sales April 2021: Market hits all-time high

Australia’s new-car market has seen its biggest April in recorded history, with speculation the increased growth could see out the financial year

New-car sales in Australia climbed to uncharted heights last month, ranking it the largest April since records were kept and the sixth consecutive month of growth for the industry following COVID-19.

VFACTS, a new-car sales data report compiled by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), recorded 92,347 new cars sold in Australia during April, representing a 137.2 per cent increase year-on-year from April 2020’s 38,926 figure.

The tally is the largest the FCAI has ever recorded for an April, despite the Suez Canal obstruction and continuing supply shortages which also affected March 2021 sales.

Despite the record-breaking month, Chief Executive of the FCAI Tony Weber believes the growth could last for some time:

“Historically the April result is between 70,000 and 80,000 vehicles, so the 2021 result is very significant,” Mr Weber said.

“This sales trend is expected to continue as we enter the final two months of the financial year.

"It is possible there is pent up market demand which may be reflected in sales figures in the second half of 2021 as solutions are found to these [supply] issues.”

Related: Electric vehicle sales surge in March

Australia's best-selling brands in April 2021

Toyota retained its top spot in April, taking 21.9 per cent of market share with 20,208 vehicles sold (up 95.7 per cent year-on-year). Yet again, the brand had four of its nameplates within the top 10 best-selling models.

Mazda held onto second place with 10,052 cars sold (10.9 per cent market share and up 232.6 per cent), while Mitsubishi took third with 7513 sales (up 333.3 per cent) and 8.1 per cent of the market.

Ford and Hyundai filled out the top five, with 7146 and 5772 new cars sold respectively (up 217.5 and 156.8 per cent), signifying 7.7 and 6.3 per cent shares of the market.

Australia's best-selling models in April 2021

The Ford Ranger dual-cab ute shot to first place in April, with 5021 examples sold (up 226 per cent).

For the first time in recent memory, the Toyota HiLux fell out of the top two best-selling models – second place being claimed by the Toyota RAV4 (4506 sold, up 135.8 per cent). The HiLux came in just behind in third with 4222 utes moving (up 80.5 per cent).

Reflective of Australia’s changing car-buying habits, eight of the top 10 selling vehicles were SUVs and light commercial vehicles, with four of each category contributing:

1. Ford Ranger (5021 sold, up 226 per cent)
2. Toyota RAV4 (4506 sold, up 135.8 per cent)
3. Toyota HiLux (4222 sold, up 80.5 per cent)
4. Toyota LandCruiser (3177 sold, up 98.2 per cent)
5. Mitsubishi Triton (2458 sold, up 424.1 per cent)
6. Mazda CX-5 (2353 sold, up 261.3 per cent)
7. Toyota Corolla (2073 sold, up 73.5 per cent)
8. Mitsubishi ASX (2028 sold, up 482.8 per cent)
9. Hyundai i30 (2005 sold, up 188.5 per cent)
10. Isuzu D-Max (1999 sold, up 163 per cent)