https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-new...beaten-by-ford
2020 new-car sales: Toyota RAV4 surges to top in tough July as HiLux gets beaten by Ford Ranger
The Toyota RAV4 was Australia’s favourite new vehicle in July 2020.
Justin Hilliard
Deputy News Editor
CarsGuide
5 Aug 2020 • 3 min read
July 2020 was another tough month for the Australian new-vehicle market amid the global pandemic, with sales down 12.8 per cent over July 2019, to 72,505 units, but there were more than a few surprise results to keeps things interesting.
The Toyota RAV4 mid-size SUV was the headline act, with its sales surging a ludicrous 78.1 per cent, to 4309 units, helping it to overtake its HiLux sibling (2947, -12.3%) and become Australia’s favourite new vehicle.
That said, Brand T’s ute didn’t even finish in second place, with it relegated to third due to a stronger showing from its archrival, the Ford Ranger (3104 units, -2.0%), likely caused by stock shortages ahead of its facelifted model’s imminent release.
The top-10 best-selling models were rounded out by the Toyota Corolla small car (2192 units, -32.4%), Hyundai i30 small car (1745, -22.5%), Mazda CX-5 mid-size SUV (1727, -20.0%), Mitsubishi Triton ute (1593, +4.5%), Mazda CX-3 light SUV (1355, +5.4%), Toyota Camry mid-size car (1281, -19.8%) and Mazda3 small car (1224, -35.4%).
With four top-10 models, Toyota once again finished first in the brand race, with its 15,508 sales (-13.2%) almost double that of second-placed Mazda (7806, -5.1%), which was buoyed by three top-10 models.
Only 111 units separated third from sixth, with Mitsubishi (4684, -10.7%), Hyundai (4634, -33.6%), Kia (4625, +2.6%) and Ford (4573, -6.7%) all within striking distance of one another.
Volkswagen (3710 units, +2.8%), Nissan (2906, -23.6%), Subaru (2864, -18.5%) and Mercedes-Benz Cars (2556, -8.5%) rounded out the top-10 best-selling brands.
The SUV was the most popular type of new vehicle, with a commanding 50.4 per cent share, followed by the passenger car (25.0%) and light-commercial vehicle (20.5%).
Commenting on the results, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said: “The Australian automotive industry, like many sectors in the Australian market, continues to face challenging and difficult conditions, exacerbated by the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The extended Stage 4 Restrictions – which have now been invoked in Australia’s second largest market, Victoria – will no doubt further challenge the industry during the coming months.”
For reference, 514,920 new vehicles were sold in the first seven months of 2020, representing a 19.2 per cent decrease over the corresponding period last year.
The most popular brands of July 2020
Ranking Brand Sales Variance %
1 Toyota 15,508 -13.2
2 Mazda 7806 -5.1
3 Mitsubishi 4684 -10.7
4 Hyundai 4634 -33.6
5 Kia 4625 +2.6
6 Ford 4573 -6.7
7 Volkswagen 3710 +2.8
8 Nissan 2906 -23.6
9 Subaru 2864 -18.5
10 Mercedes-Benz Cars 2556 -8.5
The most popular models of July 2020
Ranking Model Sales Variance %
1 Toyota RAV4 4309 +78.1
2 Ford Ranger 3104 -2.0
3 Toyota HiLux 2947 -12.3
4 Toyota Corolla 2192 -32.4
5 Hyundai i30 1745 -22.5
6 Mazda CX-5 1727 -20.0
7 Mitsubishi Triton 1593 +4.5
8 Mazda CX-3 1355 +5.4
9 Toyota Camry 1281 -19.8
10 Mazda3 1224 - 35.4