How an SUV could top the Aussie sales charts for the first time
The Toyota RAV4’s sales surge could set a new benchmark for vehicle sales in AustraliaAn SUV could finally top the Australian new car sales charts, the Toyota RAV4, and it seems Toyota might think so too.
“I think RAV will be incredibly strong [sales wise for the remainder of 2024],” Toyota Australia sales, marketing and franchise operations vice president Sean Hanley said.
“Whether it will be number one car, I truly have no idea,” he added, emphasising he doesn’t know how many Ford Rangers are heading to Aussie shores in the coming months.
The Ranger and the HiLux have dominated the top of the sales charts since 2016 and for the five years prior it was the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 battling it out, but never has an SUV stood on the top step of the sales podium.
“[RAV4] could be number one for Toyota,” Hanley said, illuding to his knowledge of many RAV4s and HiLuxes are due to be shipped Down Under for the remainder of the year.
“And I reckon it could knock on the door [of the overall number one spot],” he added.
Ranger is the one big thorn in Toyota’s sales aspirations.
Toyota commands about 20 per cent of the new car market, which is more than double the next best competitor – usually Mazda, but Kia and Ford also put in strong showings, depending on the month.
And Toyota has cars in almost every key segment, performing strongly in most.
But the Ranger has long been the top-selling four-wheel drive in Australia and overtook the HiLux(which has a strong following for two-wheel drive offerings) in 2023 to become the top-selling vehicle overall.
As the current-generation HiLux approaches its 10th birthday – it went on sale in 2015 – the Ranger is far fresher with more tech and safety features.
But Toyota is not backing away from the HiLux, which remains a favourite with tradies, families, farmers and businesses.
“We’re not giving up on HiLux … it’s still an important product and important for our Australian line-up,” Hanley said.
And an all-new HiLux is due in 2025 or 2026.
“We’ve got a lot happening with HiLux, but nothing to announce today.”
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