Car Sales Round-Up 2024 : Australia and New Zealand
WORDS BY ANBY ALCOMENDAS
In 2024 , the car markets in Australia and New Zealand experienced contrasting trends . Australia achieved record-breaking sales , while New Zealand faced a significant decline . Let ’ s delve into the details of both countries ’ automotive landscapes .
Australia : A Record-Breaking Year
Australia ’ s automotive industry celebrated its highest-ever sales in 2024 , with 1,237,287 new vehicles sold , marking a 1.7 per cent increase from 2023 . The Ford Ranger emerged as the top-selling vehicle , followed by the Toyota RAV4 and Toyota HiLux .
Sport Utility Vehicles ( SUVs ) dominated the market , accounting for 57 per cent of all new car sales , while passenger cars continued their decline , representing only 17 per cent of the market . This trend underscores Australians ’ preference for larger , more versatile vehicles .
Despite the robust sales figures , industry experts express concerns about future market dynamics . Tony Weber , Chief Executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries ( FCAI ), noted that while the first half of 2024 saw strong sales , momentum waned in the latter half due to economic pressures .
He stated , “ While very strong sales in the first half of 2024 set up the full-year result , the momentum in the market was lost as the year progressed .”
Weber also highlighted consumers ’ growing interest in environmentally friendly and costeffective vehicles , leading to increased demand for low-emission options .
“ Customers are also increasingly making choices regarding environmental outcomes and the associated total cost of ownership of moving to low emissions technologies ,” he observed .
“ The industry is responding to NVES by increasing the range of zero and low emission vehicles on offer . However , a continuation of current customer buying preferences will inevitably lead to the accrual of substantial penalties under the Government ’ s new scheme , which will create price inflation within the new vehicle market .
Mr Weber said lower than expected sales results for battery electric vehicles were being replicated in a number of major markets around the world .
The luxury car segment experienced growth , with brands like BMW , Mercedes-Benz , and Tesla reporting steady sales . However , traditional petrol and diesel vehicles continued to dominate the market .
26 ISSUE 51 FEBRUARY 2025 / WWW . AFMA . ORG . AU