Australian new-car sales in February 2024: VFACTS records smashed again

February 2024 marked another record month for deliveries of new motor vehicles in Australia – and the 10th consecutive month of growth – as dealers continue to clear back-orders written last year, or earlier.

However, experts continue to warn the record run will not continue forever, and that the sales result – which reflects the number of car deliveries, not orders taken – disguises the true demand for new cars, which dealers say is not as high as it was 12 months ago.

Data published by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) – the peak body for new-car manufacturers in Australia – reports 105,023 new motor vehicles as sold last month.

It represents a 20.9 per cent increase on the same month in 2023, and is up 8.9 per cent on the all-time February record of 96,443 deliveries in 2016 – as well as up 14.4 per cent on the five-year February average prior to the pandemic (91,799).

This time last year the automotive industry was amidst a quarantine crisis – with, at one point, up to 60,000 vehicles waiting offshore or at ports – which makes February 2024’s record look more significant.

For the past 12 to 18 months, dealers representing Australia’s top car companies – including those hit hardest by stock shortages and long wait times – have warned they are clearing their order books faster than they are taking new deposits.

Monthly new-car sales results reflect the number of vehicles delivered each month – after they arrive at Australian ports and are transported to dealers – rather than the number of orders written.

Toyota – the top-selling new-car brand for 21 years in a row – has predicted 1.05 to 1.1 million new vehicles will be reported as sold in Australia this year, down from a record-breaking 1.22 million last year.

The Japanese car maker posted a 35.2 per cent increase in deliveries last month as it recorded a rare decline of 31.5 per cent in February 2023 – compared to the same month in 2022 – due to production bottlenecks.

The Ford Ranger held its spot as the top-selling new vehicle – for the fourth month in a row, and sixth in 12 months – after dethroning the seven-time consecutive champion Toyota HiLux to win the annual sales race in 2023, a first for a Ford since 1995.

Following Toyota was Mazda (7350 sales, down 4.1 per cent), Ford (7275, up 20.8 per cent) and a resurgent Nissan (6617, up 157.2 per cent), with its highest-placed finish in some time.

Kia and Hyundai fell to sixth and seventh – and MG dropped to 10th – following stronger sales for Mitsubishi and Nissan, as well a boost in Tesla sales.

Meanwhile on the top models chart, the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux were followed by the Tesla Model 3 (3593 deliveries) after a stop-delivery notice caused by a compliance breach was addressed in late January.

The Nissan X-Trail placed sixth – and was the country’s second-best selling SUV last month – with 2508 deliveries, outselling the Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX-5 and other usual buyer favourites.

There were two Teslas in the Top 10 for what is believed to be the first time – the Model 3 in third and Model Y in 10th – though it is not an overall record for the US car maker.

Electric-vehicle sales tallied 10,111 in February 2024, up 70.4 per cent on the prior year – but behind the 11,447 hybrids reported as sold last month.

Data below supplied by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), and compiled by Alex Misoyannis.