As expected, the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on new car sales according to VFACTS figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).

 

A total of 38,926 sales were recorded in April representing a massive fall of 48.5 per cent over the same period last year (75,550 sales).

 

Incidentally, April’s fall was the largest single decrease of any month since VFACTS figures were first recorded in 1991.

 

As of the end of April, year to date figures totalled 272,287 sales, down from 344,088 in 2019, which equates to a 20.9 per cent decline.

 

Tony Weber, chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) said: “Clearly, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major influence on the April sales result, and reflects a downturn in the broader economy right across the country”

 

“Figures recently released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that 31 per cent of Australian citizens have experienced a decrease in income due to the pandemic.”

 

“In addition 72 per cent of Australian businesses reported that reduced cash flow is expected to have an adverse impact on business over the next two months.”

 

“These conditions inevitably impact consumer confidence and purchase decisions,” he said.

 

Australia’s new vehicle market has experienced its 25th consecutive month of declining sales on a year-on-year basis. Environmental, economic and political factors, along with tight credit lending restrictions, have all contributed to this fall.

 

April 2020 had 23.9 selling days compared to April 2019 with 23.0, but this resulted in a decrease of 1656.1 vehicle sales per day.

 

Passenger cars dropped by 14,659 sales (-61.6 per cent) over the same month last year, SUVs dropped by 15,167 sales (-45.7 per cent), while light commercials sank by 6165 sales (-39.5 per cent).

 

Toyota was again the market leader in April, followed by Mazda and Kia. Toyota led Mazda with a margin of 7303 vehicle sales and 18.7 market share points.

 

In total, Toyota commanded a 26.5 per cent share of the market in April, accounting for one in four of all new vehicles sold. Toyota finished the month with five nameplates in the top 10.

 

Kia backed up its performance last month to finish on top of sister brand Hyundai for the second time ever.

 

Unbelievably, BMW did well to secure its first top 10 finish with 1703, a drop of only 5.7 per cent. Rival Mercedes-Benz only moved 981 cars to record a whopping fall of 54.4 per cent.

 

The top-selling vehicle in April was the Toyota HiLux with 2339 sales, followed by the Toyota RAV4 (1911 sales), Toyota LandCruiser (1603 sales), Ford Ranger (1540 sales) and the Toyota Corolla (1195 sales).

 

A full segment by segment breakdown is included below.

 

 

Toyota HiLux – 2339

Toyota RAV4 – 1911

Toyota LandCruiser (70 and 200 Series) - 1603

Ford Ranger – 1540

Toyota Corolla – 1195

Toyota Prado – 947

Kia Cerato – 860

Holden Colorado – 854

Isuzu D-Max – 760

Hyundai i30 – 695

 

 

Toyota – 10,325, down 31.8 per cent

Mazda – 3022, down 60.5 per cent

Kia – 2492, down 44.9 per cent

Ford – 2251, down 53.1 per cent

Hyundai – 2247, down 65.3 per cent

Mitsubishi – 1734, down 63.2 per cent

BMW – 1703, down 5.7 per cent

Holden – 1501, down 56.9 per cent

Nissan – 1468, down 51.5 per cent

Volkswagen – 1328, down 62.1 per cent

 

 

Micro cars: Kia Picanto 99, Fiat 500 20, Mitsubishi Mirage 19

Light cars: Kia Rio 251, MG3 222, Suzuki Swift 182

Light cars over $40k: Mini 74, Audi 17, Citroen C3 1

Small cars: Toyota Corolla 1195, Kia Cerato 860, Hyundai i30 695

Small cars over $40k: Mercedes A-Class 217, BMW 1 Series 116, Audi A3 65

Medium cars: Toyota Camry 675, Mazda6 71, Skoda Octavia 39

Medium cars over $60k: BMW 3 Series 254, Mercedes CLA 94, Mercedes C-Class 87

Large cars: Kia Stinger 75, Holden Commodore 30, Skoda Superb 2

Large cars over $70k: Mercedes E-Class 36, BMW 5 Series 30, Maserati Ghibli 11

Upper large cars: Chrysler 300 16, BMW 6 Series GT 15, BMW 8 Series 5

People movers: Kia Carnival 220, Hyundai iMax 30, Honda Odyssey 26

Sports cars: Ford Mustang 146, BMW 2 Series 62, Mazda MX-5 33

Sports cars over $80k: BMW 4 Series 50, Mercedes C-Class 38, BMW Z4 14

Sports over $200k: Porsche 911 13, Ferrari 9, BMW 8 Series 4

Light SUV: Mazda CX-3 394, Volkswagen T-Cross 188, Holden Trax 178

Small SUV: Toyota C-HR 480, Mazda CX-30 452, Hyundai Kona 379

Small SUV over $40k: BMW X1 222, Volvo XC40 177, Audi Q3 151

Medium SUV: Toyota RAV4 1911, Mazda CX-5 648, Subaru Forester 510

Medium SUV over $60k: BMW X3/X4 425, Mercedes GLC/Coupe 237, Lexus NX 140

Large SUV: Toyota Prado 947, Isuzu MU-X 339, Toyota Kluger 313

Large SUV over $70k: BMW X5/X6 300, Mercedes GLE/Coupe 119, Range Rover Sport 81

Upper large SUV: Toyota LandCruiser 924, Nissan Patrol 150, BMW X7 60

Vans under 2.5t: Volkswagen Caddy 69, Renault Kangoo 25, Peugeot Partner 6

Vans 2.5-3.5t: Toyota HiAce 308, Hyundai iLoad 152, Ford Transit Cust. 105

4×2 utes: Toyota HiLux 456, Isuzu D-Max 198, Mazda BT-50 147

4×4 utes: Toyota HiLux 1883, Ford Ranger 1419, Holden Colorado 780