VFACTS March: Ford Ranger strikes back
RAV4 settles for silver in one of the strongest third months on recordThe Ford Ranger reassumed its position at the top of the VFACTS sales charts last month with 4932 new registrations, some 621 units clear of the defiant Toyota RAV4 as the overall market recorded one of its best March performances on record.
Lurking in third place was the ever-present Toyota Hilux with 4081 deliveries, followed by the unshakeably consistent Mitsubishi Outlander (3005) and Toyota Prado (2871).
Rounding out the top 10 was the BYD Shark 6 (2810), Ford Everest (2100), Isuzu D-Max (2088), MG ZS (2020) and Hyundai Kona (2011).
The Shark 6’s presence in the top 10 was no fluke either, given its outrageously sharp pricing, improving supply and the mad last-minute rush by consumers to capitalise on plug-in hybrid’s now-expired exemption from the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT).
In fact, PHEV sales were up a huge 380.1 per cent compared to March 2024 (6932 vs 1444) while plugless hybrid sales continued their upward trend, growing almost 23 per cent year-on-year (16,830 vs 13,704).
Petrol (43,785) and diesel (31,548) are still the kings, however, even if both fuels recorded mildly negative growth.
EV sales meantime – not including Tesla and Polestar, which aren’t included in VFACTS data – were down more than 51 per cent, with just 5374 vehicles landing on driveways compared to the 10,464 delivered in March last year.
“The reality is clear:?Australian families and businesses are not shifting in large numbers to EVs,” FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said.
“While the supply of EVs is increasing … the demand for EVs is weak. The early adopters have acted but the rest of the vehicle-buying public has not followed.
“This is consistent with a number of other advanced markets around the world.”
In total, 108,606 new vehicles were registered in March – less than one per cent down on the record 109,647 units shifted 12 months prior – of which more than 20,500 were Toyotas.
Of the top five-best-selling brands, only Toyota (20,541) and Kia (7307) recorded positive growth while Ford (8232), Mazda (8000) and Mitsubishi (7265) all went in the other direction.
Key industry executives have predicted the overall market will once again surpass 1 million units, if not 1.1m, by the end of the year; projections that look to be on the money provided current sales trends continue.
Some 290,403 new vehicles had been registered in Australia as of March 31, a collective dip of 4.6 per cent compared to the 304,452 units sold in the first quarter of 2024.
Best-selling models of March 2025
1. Ford Ranger – 4932
2. Toyota RAV4 – 4321
3. Toyota Hilux – 4081
4. Mitsubishi Outlander – 3005
5. Toyota Prado – 2871
6. BYD Shark 6 – 2810
7. Ford Everest – 2100
8. Isuzu D-Max – 2088
9. MG ZS – 2020
10. Hyundai Kona – 2011
Best-selling brands of March 2025
1. Toyota – 20,541
2. Ford – 8232
3. Mazda – 8000
4. Kia – 7307
5. Mitsubishi – 7265
6. Hyundai – 6813
7. BYD – 4811
8. GWM – 4393
9. Nissan – 4079
10. MG – 3926
Source: VFACTS, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries
Related: VFACTS 2024: Ford Ranger still in charge in a record year
Related: VFACTS October: 1 million units and counting
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