2020 new-car sales: Toyota RAV4 surges to top in tough July as HiLux gets beaten by Ford Ranger

July 2020 was another tough month for the Australian new-vehicle market amid the global pandemic, with sales down 12.8 per cent over July 2019, to 72,505 units, but there were more than a few surprise results to keeps things interesting.

The Toyota RAV4 mid-size SUV was the headline act, with its sales surging a ludicrous 78.1 per cent, to 4309 units, helping it to overtake its HiLux sibling (2947, -12.3%) and become Australia’s favourite new vehicle.

That said, Brand T’s ute didn’t even finish in second place, with it relegated to third due to a stronger showing from its archrival, the Ford Ranger (3104 units, -2.0%), likely caused by stock shortages ahead of its facelifted model’s imminent release.

The top-10 best-selling models were rounded out by the Toyota Corolla small car (2192 units, -32.4%), Hyundai i30 small car (1745, -22.5%), Mazda CX-5 mid-size SUV (1727, -20.0%), Mitsubishi Triton ute (1593, +4.5%), Mazda CX-3 light SUV (1355, +5.4%), Toyota Camry mid-size car (1281, -19.8%) and Mazda3 small car (1224, -35.4%).

With four top-10 models, Toyota once again finished first in the brand race, with its 15,508 sales (-13.2%) almost double that of second-placed Mazda (7806, -5.1%), which was buoyed by three top-10 models.

Only 111 units separated third from sixth, with Mitsubishi (4684, -10.7%), Hyundai (4634, -33.6%), Kia (4625, +2.6%) and Ford (4573, -6.7%) all within striking distance of one another.

Volkswagen (3710 units, +2.8%), Nissan (2906, -23.6%), Subaru (2864, -18.5%) and Mercedes-Benz Cars (2556, -8.5%) rounded out the top-10 best-selling brands.

The SUV was the most popular type of new vehicle, with a commanding 50.4 per cent share, followed by the passenger car (25.0%) and light-commercial vehicle (20.5%).

Commenting on the results, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said: “The Australian automotive industry, like many sectors in the Australian market, continues to face challenging and difficult conditions, exacerbated by the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The extended Stage 4 Restrictions – which have now been invoked in Australia’s second largest market, Victoria – will no doubt further challenge the industry during the coming months.”

For reference, 514,920 new vehicles were sold in the first seven months of 2020, representing a 19.2 per cent decrease over the corresponding period last year.

The most popular brands of July 2020

The most popular models of July 2020