VFACTS July: Toyota RAV4 rules as EVs and hybrids charge up

The Toyota RAV4 was the best-selling model in a record-breaking July which saw 108,577 new vehicles registered, of which 48.4 per cent were electrified (EV, HEV or PHEV).

In its best sales performance all year, the RAV4 was more than 800 units clear of the Toyota HiLux (4721) in second place and the Tesla Model Y in third (4644). 

Rounding out the top five best-selling models were the Ford Ranger (4042) and BYD Sealion 7 (2548), with positions six-through-10 occupied by the Chery Tiggo 4 (2156), Hyundai Kona (2096), Toyota Prado (2082), Geely EX5 (2034) and Zeekr 7X (1892).

A key detail to note about the top 10 is that five (half) of them are Chinese, with four of those being battery-electric – reflective of three much larger trends of the 2026 automotive market.

The first is the increasing popularity of Chinese-made vehicles: roughly 35 per cent of all new cars sold last month were sourced from China.

The second is the ever-growing attraction of electrified vehicles – 48.4 per cent of sales last month were EV, HEV or PHEV – especially as fuel prices continue to soar with the unrest in the Middle East.

The third is the forecasted decline in the popularity of utes: only two models of the top 10 were dual-cabs, and even then, it was just the two fleet stalwarts – no Isuzu D-MAX, no Mitsubishi Triton and no BYD Shark 6.

Light commercial sales were down 14 per cent last month (YoY) and are down 10 per cent so far this year ending July. Passenger vehicle sales are down 4.0 per cent so far this year while SUV sales are up 5.2 per per cent.

At a brand level, Toyota recovered its usual breathing room ahead of the rest if its challengers, gapping BYD in second by some 12,552 units (20,409 vs 7857).

Kia (6553) snagged third ahead of Mazda (6458) and Ford (6400), with the rest of the top 10 occupied by Hyundai (5991), Tesla (4778), Chery (4615), GWM (4518) and MG (4284) respectively – again reflective of the growing influence of Chinese makes.

As we’ve said before, it’s really only a matter of time before China becomes our biggest vehicle supplier, however a more immediate question and/or milestone will be if/when will electrified vehicles account for the majority of sales.

Hybrid, electric and plug-in hybrid sales have been on the up for a while now, but 2026 has seen them skyrocket and they’re clearly not slowing down, just as fuel prices don’t look like they’ll be receding any time soon.

Best-selling models July 2026
1. Toyota RAV4 – 5564
2. Toyota HiLux – 4721
3. Tesla Model Y – 4644
4. Ford Ranger – 4042
5. BYD Sealion 7 – 2548
6. Chery Tiggo 4 – 2156
7. Hyundai Kona – 2096
8. Toyota Prado – 2082
9. Geely EX5 – 2034
10. Zeekr 7X – 1892 

Best-selling brands May 2026
1. Toyota – 20,409
2. BYD – 7857
3. Kia – 6553
4. Mazda – 6458
5. Ford – 6400
6. Hyundai – 5991
7. Tesla – 4778 
8. Chery – 4615
9. GWM – 4518
10. MG – 4284

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au