Australia’s most popular SUV isn’t a Toyota or even anything made in Japan, but a fully electric Tesla Model Y from China.
The Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger have almost always occupied the top two spots in the monthly car sales charts this year – sometimes swapping places.
But aside from Thai-built vehicles, the Chinese-made Tesla Model Y is Australia’s most popular SUV, taking the spot in September, June and May, according to data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.
Last month, 3,811 Model Ys were ordered, almost three-quarters of the 5,177 new Teslas found in September.
The Model Y has been in the top 10 without fail since March, with the Toyota LandCruiser having also reached this ranking seven times.
Australia’s most popular SUV isn’t a Toyota (RAV4 pictured) or even anything made in Japan, but a fully electric Tesla Model Y from China.
Outside of the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, the Chinese-made Telsa Model Y has been Australia’s most popular SUV, holding that spot in September, June and May, according to data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.
The Toyota RAV4, available as a hybrid-electric version at petrol prices, was Australia’s most popular SUV in August and April, and has been in the top 10 nine times this year.
The Mitsubishi Outlander was the most popular four-wheel drive vehicle in March, while the MG ZS, available with a fully electric version, took that spot in July.
The Mazda CX-5 was the most popular SUV in February, while the smaller Mazda CX-3 took that title in January, but in both months the Tesla Model 3 sedan outsold both Mazdas .
So, apart from top sellers, Tesla had Australia’s most popular car five out of nine months.
In 2023, SUVs represented 56%, or 505,581, of the 899,286 new vehicles sold.
Tesla is in eighth place with a market share of 4.2 percent, with 37,997 units sold so far this year, more than double the level of 14,023 from the first nine months of 2022.
This puts it ahead of all-wheel drive specialist Subaru and Isuzu Ute.
Last month, battery electric vehicles accounted for 8% of sales, more than half of which were Teslas.
Effective January 1, 2024, the NSW Labor Government is removing $3,000 rebates for new electric vehicles introduced by the previous Coalition Government in 2021.
It was available for the first 25,000 electric or hydrogen cars purchased since September 1 of the same year, for a value of up to $68,750.
The Toyota RAV4 was Australia’s most popular SUV in August and April, with the Mitsubishi Outlander (pictured) the most popular four-wheel drive vehicle in March.
Exemptions from stamp duty had also been proposed for new and used electric vehicles worth up to $78,000, resulting in potential grants of $5,540.
The end of sweeteners could lead to a rush on Teslas in the final months of 2023, with Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber revealing the end of electric vehicle supply constraints.
“Our advice is that the supply of vehicles in Australia, including electric vehicles, continues to improve, so consumers looking to purchase a new vehicle should visit a dealer or manufacturer,” he said. -he declares.
