Long recovery for Sydney roofer who survived horrific crash on the Northern Beaches
Anyone who saw the unrecognisable wreck of the ute would find it hard to believe someone could survive such a horrible crash, but miraculously, this Sydney tradesman did.
Mark Peebles, a 32-year-old roofer was on his way to work on May 9, when his white Toyota Hilux at about 6.30am slammed into a power pole on Mona Vale Rd in Terrey Hills on Sydney's Northern Beaches.
The force of the crash snapped a power pole at its base, leaving it tilted.
The ute's front end was crushed beyond recognition, the cabin folded in on itself like crumpled tin, and high-voltage power lines hung dangerously above the wreck.
Peebles was cut free from the twisted wreck and airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition.
His road to recovery will be long after suffering multiple fractures in both legs, a collapsed lung and spinal damage, and five surgeries.
He was moved out of intensive care on Wednesday.
While he's started speaking again, conversations are fleeting, family friend Kim Isik told 7NEWS.com.au.
'The conversation that you have with him is like a goldfish,' Isik said.
'It's just gone within 15 minutes to half an hour, and he doesn't remember anything all over again.'
Isik said Peebles had been feeling dizzy in the days leading up to the crash and may have blacked out behind the wheel.
Doctors expect the recovery might take six months to one year, before he can walk or work again.
The sudden crash has turned life upside down for Peebles' wife, Monika, and their two young children — a one-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter.
Monika described the drive to the hospital that morning as 'the longest five minutes' of her life.
Now, she's juggling work, caring for their children, managing the emotional toll, and trying to stay afloat financially, all while supporting her critically injured husband in hospital.
Isik said Peebles' daughter has been struggling to understand why her dad is not home.
To help ease the pressure, Isik has launched a GoFundMe to support the family through this incredibly stressful and uncertain time.
She said the community has been generous, offering food and constantly asking how they can help.
'Everyone has really come together — you see the best in people during such a traumatic time,' she said.
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The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
VFACTS May 2025: HiLux outsells Ranger, Model Y pushes past Prado
A total of 109,425 new vehicles were delivered in Australia in May 2025, down 1.6 per cent year-on-year, with the Toyota HiLux taking back the top spot last month. According to data compiled by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), the HiLux, Ford Ranger and Toyota RAV4 took the podium spots, with the updated Tesla Model Y storming back up the sales charts to take fourth spot overall. The Model Y helped boost electric vehicle (EV) deliveries by 10.4 per cent over May 2024 to 10,065 units. While this hell short of hybrids, the rate of growth wasn't as steep; a total of 17,089 hybrids were delivered, up 5.5 per cent. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) beat them both in terms of the rate of growth, rising 117.6 per cent on May 2024 despite the end of the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for this powertrain type. A total of 3081 PHEVs were delivered last month. Private, business and government deliveries were all down, with only rental car deliveries providing some relief, climbing 15.1 per cent over May 2024. Deliveries were also down in every state and territory compared to May 2024. Some new brands appeared on the charts this month, including Omoda Jaecoo (310 deliveries), Deepal (67) and GMC (29) Toyota held the top spot as usual, though its sales were essentially flat with only a 0.8 per cent year-over-year rise. That was still better than most brands in the top 10, with the exception of Hyundai (6708 deliveries, up 3.3 per cent), GWM (4272, up 11.8 per cent) and Tesla (3897, up 9.2 per cent). There were no surprises in the top three, with Toyota once again being followed by Ford and Mazda, ahead of Kia and Hyundai. Hyundai was fewer than 200 units behind sister brand Kia (6903), though Kia is over 2000 units ahead year-to-date and the launch of the Tasman ute later this year should put even more daylight between them. Kia is sitting at 32,940 deliveries year-to-date, with Hyundai at 30,541 units. Sixth-place Mitsubishi recorded a significant 25.6 per cent year-over-year drop, likely as stock of discontinued or previous-generation models dries up. GWM finished ahead of MG in May, which was down 21.4 per cent to 3270 deliveries but still finished within the top 10. Just a few dozen units separated the Chinese brand from 11th and 12th-place finishers Subaru (3233) and BYD (3225). The biggest gains this month were recorded by Chery (up 283.7 per cent to 2755 units, just 18 shy of Nissan), BYD (3225, up 68.5 per cent), and Mini (487, up 126.5 per cent). Various luxury brands had a good month, including Lexus (1376, up 34.9 per cent), Land Rover (811, up 18 per cent), and Genesis (142, up 35.2 per cent). While the Ford Ranger 4×4 outsold the Toyota HiLux 4×4, the much wider gulf between Ranger 4×2 and HiLux 4×2 deliveries saw the Japanese brand claim the top spot. Year-to-date, however, the HiLux is sitting at 20,072 deliveries, below not only the Ranger (22,018) but also its RAV4 showroom-mate (21,613). In May, Ford had two vehicles in the top 20, while Toyota had six. Both of Isuzu Ute's models finished in the top 20 as usual, while Mazda, GWM, Kia, MG and Chery had only one top 20 finisher each, and Hyundai and Mitsubishi had two each. After notching 19th overall in April, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro small SUV has continued its climb up the sales charts. It placed 12th, pushing past the MG ZS and bearing down on the Hyundai Kona. Includes Tesla and Polestar sales. Includes Tesla and Polestar sales. Excludes Tesla and Polestar sales. Excludes Tesla, Polestar and heavy commercial sales. Excludes heavy commercial sales. Includes Tesla and Polestar sales. MORE: VFACTS April 2025: Australian new vehicle deliveries drop MORE: VFACTS March 2025: Ford Ranger back on top as market expands for the first time this year MORE: VFACTS February 2025: Petrol, diesel and EV sales drop as PHEVs, hybrids surge MORE: VFACTS January 2025: Slow start to slower year Content originally sourced from: A total of 109,425 new vehicles were delivered in Australia in May 2025, down 1.6 per cent year-on-year, with the Toyota HiLux taking back the top spot last month. According to data compiled by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), the HiLux, Ford Ranger and Toyota RAV4 took the podium spots, with the updated Tesla Model Y storming back up the sales charts to take fourth spot overall. The Model Y helped boost electric vehicle (EV) deliveries by 10.4 per cent over May 2024 to 10,065 units. While this hell short of hybrids, the rate of growth wasn't as steep; a total of 17,089 hybrids were delivered, up 5.5 per cent. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) beat them both in terms of the rate of growth, rising 117.6 per cent on May 2024 despite the end of the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for this powertrain type. A total of 3081 PHEVs were delivered last month. Private, business and government deliveries were all down, with only rental car deliveries providing some relief, climbing 15.1 per cent over May 2024. Deliveries were also down in every state and territory compared to May 2024. Some new brands appeared on the charts this month, including Omoda Jaecoo (310 deliveries), Deepal (67) and GMC (29) Toyota held the top spot as usual, though its sales were essentially flat with only a 0.8 per cent year-over-year rise. That was still better than most brands in the top 10, with the exception of Hyundai (6708 deliveries, up 3.3 per cent), GWM (4272, up 11.8 per cent) and Tesla (3897, up 9.2 per cent). There were no surprises in the top three, with Toyota once again being followed by Ford and Mazda, ahead of Kia and Hyundai. Hyundai was fewer than 200 units behind sister brand Kia (6903), though Kia is over 2000 units ahead year-to-date and the launch of the Tasman ute later this year should put even more daylight between them. Kia is sitting at 32,940 deliveries year-to-date, with Hyundai at 30,541 units. Sixth-place Mitsubishi recorded a significant 25.6 per cent year-over-year drop, likely as stock of discontinued or previous-generation models dries up. GWM finished ahead of MG in May, which was down 21.4 per cent to 3270 deliveries but still finished within the top 10. Just a few dozen units separated the Chinese brand from 11th and 12th-place finishers Subaru (3233) and BYD (3225). The biggest gains this month were recorded by Chery (up 283.7 per cent to 2755 units, just 18 shy of Nissan), BYD (3225, up 68.5 per cent), and Mini (487, up 126.5 per cent). Various luxury brands had a good month, including Lexus (1376, up 34.9 per cent), Land Rover (811, up 18 per cent), and Genesis (142, up 35.2 per cent). While the Ford Ranger 4×4 outsold the Toyota HiLux 4×4, the much wider gulf between Ranger 4×2 and HiLux 4×2 deliveries saw the Japanese brand claim the top spot. Year-to-date, however, the HiLux is sitting at 20,072 deliveries, below not only the Ranger (22,018) but also its RAV4 showroom-mate (21,613). In May, Ford had two vehicles in the top 20, while Toyota had six. Both of Isuzu Ute's models finished in the top 20 as usual, while Mazda, GWM, Kia, MG and Chery had only one top 20 finisher each, and Hyundai and Mitsubishi had two each. After notching 19th overall in April, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro small SUV has continued its climb up the sales charts. It placed 12th, pushing past the MG ZS and bearing down on the Hyundai Kona. Includes Tesla and Polestar sales. Includes Tesla and Polestar sales. Excludes Tesla and Polestar sales. Excludes Tesla, Polestar and heavy commercial sales. Excludes heavy commercial sales. Includes Tesla and Polestar sales. MORE: VFACTS April 2025: Australian new vehicle deliveries drop MORE: VFACTS March 2025: Ford Ranger back on top as market expands for the first time this year MORE: VFACTS February 2025: Petrol, diesel and EV sales drop as PHEVs, hybrids surge MORE: VFACTS January 2025: Slow start to slower year Content originally sourced from: A total of 109,425 new vehicles were delivered in Australia in May 2025, down 1.6 per cent year-on-year, with the Toyota HiLux taking back the top spot last month. According to data compiled by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), the HiLux, Ford Ranger and Toyota RAV4 took the podium spots, with the updated Tesla Model Y storming back up the sales charts to take fourth spot overall. The Model Y helped boost electric vehicle (EV) deliveries by 10.4 per cent over May 2024 to 10,065 units. While this hell short of hybrids, the rate of growth wasn't as steep; a total of 17,089 hybrids were delivered, up 5.5 per cent. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) beat them both in terms of the rate of growth, rising 117.6 per cent on May 2024 despite the end of the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for this powertrain type. A total of 3081 PHEVs were delivered last month. Private, business and government deliveries were all down, with only rental car deliveries providing some relief, climbing 15.1 per cent over May 2024. Deliveries were also down in every state and territory compared to May 2024. Some new brands appeared on the charts this month, including Omoda Jaecoo (310 deliveries), Deepal (67) and GMC (29) Toyota held the top spot as usual, though its sales were essentially flat with only a 0.8 per cent year-over-year rise. That was still better than most brands in the top 10, with the exception of Hyundai (6708 deliveries, up 3.3 per cent), GWM (4272, up 11.8 per cent) and Tesla (3897, up 9.2 per cent). There were no surprises in the top three, with Toyota once again being followed by Ford and Mazda, ahead of Kia and Hyundai. Hyundai was fewer than 200 units behind sister brand Kia (6903), though Kia is over 2000 units ahead year-to-date and the launch of the Tasman ute later this year should put even more daylight between them. Kia is sitting at 32,940 deliveries year-to-date, with Hyundai at 30,541 units. Sixth-place Mitsubishi recorded a significant 25.6 per cent year-over-year drop, likely as stock of discontinued or previous-generation models dries up. GWM finished ahead of MG in May, which was down 21.4 per cent to 3270 deliveries but still finished within the top 10. Just a few dozen units separated the Chinese brand from 11th and 12th-place finishers Subaru (3233) and BYD (3225). The biggest gains this month were recorded by Chery (up 283.7 per cent to 2755 units, just 18 shy of Nissan), BYD (3225, up 68.5 per cent), and Mini (487, up 126.5 per cent). Various luxury brands had a good month, including Lexus (1376, up 34.9 per cent), Land Rover (811, up 18 per cent), and Genesis (142, up 35.2 per cent). While the Ford Ranger 4×4 outsold the Toyota HiLux 4×4, the much wider gulf between Ranger 4×2 and HiLux 4×2 deliveries saw the Japanese brand claim the top spot. Year-to-date, however, the HiLux is sitting at 20,072 deliveries, below not only the Ranger (22,018) but also its RAV4 showroom-mate (21,613). In May, Ford had two vehicles in the top 20, while Toyota had six. Both of Isuzu Ute's models finished in the top 20 as usual, while Mazda, GWM, Kia, MG and Chery had only one top 20 finisher each, and Hyundai and Mitsubishi had two each. After notching 19th overall in April, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro small SUV has continued its climb up the sales charts. It placed 12th, pushing past the MG ZS and bearing down on the Hyundai Kona. Includes Tesla and Polestar sales. Includes Tesla and Polestar sales. Excludes Tesla and Polestar sales. Excludes Tesla, Polestar and heavy commercial sales. Excludes heavy commercial sales. Includes Tesla and Polestar sales. MORE: VFACTS April 2025: Australian new vehicle deliveries drop MORE: VFACTS March 2025: Ford Ranger back on top as market expands for the first time this year MORE: VFACTS February 2025: Petrol, diesel and EV sales drop as PHEVs, hybrids surge MORE: VFACTS January 2025: Slow start to slower year Content originally sourced from: A total of 109,425 new vehicles were delivered in Australia in May 2025, down 1.6 per cent year-on-year, with the Toyota HiLux taking back the top spot last month. According to data compiled by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), the HiLux, Ford Ranger and Toyota RAV4 took the podium spots, with the updated Tesla Model Y storming back up the sales charts to take fourth spot overall. The Model Y helped boost electric vehicle (EV) deliveries by 10.4 per cent over May 2024 to 10,065 units. While this hell short of hybrids, the rate of growth wasn't as steep; a total of 17,089 hybrids were delivered, up 5.5 per cent. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) beat them both in terms of the rate of growth, rising 117.6 per cent on May 2024 despite the end of the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for this powertrain type. A total of 3081 PHEVs were delivered last month. Private, business and government deliveries were all down, with only rental car deliveries providing some relief, climbing 15.1 per cent over May 2024. Deliveries were also down in every state and territory compared to May 2024. Some new brands appeared on the charts this month, including Omoda Jaecoo (310 deliveries), Deepal (67) and GMC (29) Toyota held the top spot as usual, though its sales were essentially flat with only a 0.8 per cent year-over-year rise. That was still better than most brands in the top 10, with the exception of Hyundai (6708 deliveries, up 3.3 per cent), GWM (4272, up 11.8 per cent) and Tesla (3897, up 9.2 per cent). There were no surprises in the top three, with Toyota once again being followed by Ford and Mazda, ahead of Kia and Hyundai. Hyundai was fewer than 200 units behind sister brand Kia (6903), though Kia is over 2000 units ahead year-to-date and the launch of the Tasman ute later this year should put even more daylight between them. Kia is sitting at 32,940 deliveries year-to-date, with Hyundai at 30,541 units. Sixth-place Mitsubishi recorded a significant 25.6 per cent year-over-year drop, likely as stock of discontinued or previous-generation models dries up. GWM finished ahead of MG in May, which was down 21.4 per cent to 3270 deliveries but still finished within the top 10. Just a few dozen units separated the Chinese brand from 11th and 12th-place finishers Subaru (3233) and BYD (3225). The biggest gains this month were recorded by Chery (up 283.7 per cent to 2755 units, just 18 shy of Nissan), BYD (3225, up 68.5 per cent), and Mini (487, up 126.5 per cent). Various luxury brands had a good month, including Lexus (1376, up 34.9 per cent), Land Rover (811, up 18 per cent), and Genesis (142, up 35.2 per cent). While the Ford Ranger 4×4 outsold the Toyota HiLux 4×4, the much wider gulf between Ranger 4×2 and HiLux 4×2 deliveries saw the Japanese brand claim the top spot. Year-to-date, however, the HiLux is sitting at 20,072 deliveries, below not only the Ranger (22,018) but also its RAV4 showroom-mate (21,613). In May, Ford had two vehicles in the top 20, while Toyota had six. Both of Isuzu Ute's models finished in the top 20 as usual, while Mazda, GWM, Kia, MG and Chery had only one top 20 finisher each, and Hyundai and Mitsubishi had two each. After notching 19th overall in April, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro small SUV has continued its climb up the sales charts. It placed 12th, pushing past the MG ZS and bearing down on the Hyundai Kona. Includes Tesla and Polestar sales. Includes Tesla and Polestar sales. Excludes Tesla and Polestar sales. Excludes Tesla, Polestar and heavy commercial sales. Excludes heavy commercial sales. Includes Tesla and Polestar sales. MORE: VFACTS April 2025: Australian new vehicle deliveries drop MORE: VFACTS March 2025: Ford Ranger back on top as market expands for the first time this year MORE: VFACTS February 2025: Petrol, diesel and EV sales drop as PHEVs, hybrids surge MORE: VFACTS January 2025: Slow start to slower year Content originally sourced from:
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Australia's big car love affair still fuelling sales
Australians' love for big vehicles continues to fuel new car sales, with utes topping the charts and SUVs making up three in every five purchases. But motorists are still putting the brakes on vehicle buys as sales slowed by a small margin in May, according to figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Electric Vehicle Council on Wednesday. Only hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles managed to steer around the slowdown, with significant drops for diesel and petrol-powered cars. The findings come two months after plug-in hybrid vehicles lost a tax exemption, and despite persistently flat sales for electric vehicles this year. Australians purchased more than 109,000 new vehicles during May down from more than 111,000 during the same month in 2024. But the tally was the second highest recorded this year and FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said it showed supply and demand for vehicles was strong. "The results reflect a market that remains resilient and competitive by historic standards," he said. "The fundamentals of the market remain robust, with strong competition and consumer interest across a range of vehicle types." SUVs dominated new vehicle sales during the month, and grew by 6.6 per cent to represent more than 60 per cent of all cars sold. By comparison, passenger vehicle sales fell by 33 per cent and light commercial vehicle sales , such as utes and vans, fell by seven per cent. Sales of diesel and petrol-powered vehicles also fell by 1.1 per cent and nine per cent respectively. Despite changes to fringe-benefits tax exemptions, low-emission vehicles remained a popular choice in May, with sales of plug-in hybrid cars doubling compared to last year (3081) and hybrid sales up by 5.5 per cent (17,089). Electric cars also climbed during May to top 10,000 sales – a rise of 12.1 per cent compared to the year before – helping them to represent nine per cent of all new vehicles sold. Fortunes were mixed for electric vehicle market leader Tesla, however, as the company registered a sales rebound based on deliveries of its updated Model Y during May but sales of its Model 3 fell. The company, headed by controversial outgoing US government figure Elon Musk, recorded a sales boost of nine per cent for the month but a fall of 48 per cent for the year. Utes claimed the top two spots on the best-selling list for May, with the Toyota HiLux nudging out competition from the Ford Ranger, while seven of the top 10 spots were claimed by SUV models. Labor's win in the recent federal election will rule out proposed changes to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which is expected to introduce penalties for brands exceeding emission targets in July. But the automotive industry has joined with the European Australian Business Council to call for the government to reach a free trade agreement with the European Union to remove the luxury car tax and tariffs to make vehicles cheaper, Mr Weber said. Australians' love for big vehicles continues to fuel new car sales, with utes topping the charts and SUVs making up three in every five purchases. But motorists are still putting the brakes on vehicle buys as sales slowed by a small margin in May, according to figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Electric Vehicle Council on Wednesday. Only hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles managed to steer around the slowdown, with significant drops for diesel and petrol-powered cars. The findings come two months after plug-in hybrid vehicles lost a tax exemption, and despite persistently flat sales for electric vehicles this year. Australians purchased more than 109,000 new vehicles during May down from more than 111,000 during the same month in 2024. But the tally was the second highest recorded this year and FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said it showed supply and demand for vehicles was strong. "The results reflect a market that remains resilient and competitive by historic standards," he said. "The fundamentals of the market remain robust, with strong competition and consumer interest across a range of vehicle types." SUVs dominated new vehicle sales during the month, and grew by 6.6 per cent to represent more than 60 per cent of all cars sold. By comparison, passenger vehicle sales fell by 33 per cent and light commercial vehicle sales , such as utes and vans, fell by seven per cent. Sales of diesel and petrol-powered vehicles also fell by 1.1 per cent and nine per cent respectively. Despite changes to fringe-benefits tax exemptions, low-emission vehicles remained a popular choice in May, with sales of plug-in hybrid cars doubling compared to last year (3081) and hybrid sales up by 5.5 per cent (17,089). Electric cars also climbed during May to top 10,000 sales – a rise of 12.1 per cent compared to the year before – helping them to represent nine per cent of all new vehicles sold. Fortunes were mixed for electric vehicle market leader Tesla, however, as the company registered a sales rebound based on deliveries of its updated Model Y during May but sales of its Model 3 fell. The company, headed by controversial outgoing US government figure Elon Musk, recorded a sales boost of nine per cent for the month but a fall of 48 per cent for the year. Utes claimed the top two spots on the best-selling list for May, with the Toyota HiLux nudging out competition from the Ford Ranger, while seven of the top 10 spots were claimed by SUV models. Labor's win in the recent federal election will rule out proposed changes to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which is expected to introduce penalties for brands exceeding emission targets in July. But the automotive industry has joined with the European Australian Business Council to call for the government to reach a free trade agreement with the European Union to remove the luxury car tax and tariffs to make vehicles cheaper, Mr Weber said. Australians' love for big vehicles continues to fuel new car sales, with utes topping the charts and SUVs making up three in every five purchases. But motorists are still putting the brakes on vehicle buys as sales slowed by a small margin in May, according to figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Electric Vehicle Council on Wednesday. Only hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles managed to steer around the slowdown, with significant drops for diesel and petrol-powered cars. The findings come two months after plug-in hybrid vehicles lost a tax exemption, and despite persistently flat sales for electric vehicles this year. Australians purchased more than 109,000 new vehicles during May down from more than 111,000 during the same month in 2024. But the tally was the second highest recorded this year and FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said it showed supply and demand for vehicles was strong. "The results reflect a market that remains resilient and competitive by historic standards," he said. "The fundamentals of the market remain robust, with strong competition and consumer interest across a range of vehicle types." SUVs dominated new vehicle sales during the month, and grew by 6.6 per cent to represent more than 60 per cent of all cars sold. By comparison, passenger vehicle sales fell by 33 per cent and light commercial vehicle sales , such as utes and vans, fell by seven per cent. Sales of diesel and petrol-powered vehicles also fell by 1.1 per cent and nine per cent respectively. Despite changes to fringe-benefits tax exemptions, low-emission vehicles remained a popular choice in May, with sales of plug-in hybrid cars doubling compared to last year (3081) and hybrid sales up by 5.5 per cent (17,089). Electric cars also climbed during May to top 10,000 sales – a rise of 12.1 per cent compared to the year before – helping them to represent nine per cent of all new vehicles sold. Fortunes were mixed for electric vehicle market leader Tesla, however, as the company registered a sales rebound based on deliveries of its updated Model Y during May but sales of its Model 3 fell. The company, headed by controversial outgoing US government figure Elon Musk, recorded a sales boost of nine per cent for the month but a fall of 48 per cent for the year. Utes claimed the top two spots on the best-selling list for May, with the Toyota HiLux nudging out competition from the Ford Ranger, while seven of the top 10 spots were claimed by SUV models. Labor's win in the recent federal election will rule out proposed changes to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which is expected to introduce penalties for brands exceeding emission targets in July. But the automotive industry has joined with the European Australian Business Council to call for the government to reach a free trade agreement with the European Union to remove the luxury car tax and tariffs to make vehicles cheaper, Mr Weber said. Australians' love for big vehicles continues to fuel new car sales, with utes topping the charts and SUVs making up three in every five purchases. But motorists are still putting the brakes on vehicle buys as sales slowed by a small margin in May, according to figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Electric Vehicle Council on Wednesday. Only hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles managed to steer around the slowdown, with significant drops for diesel and petrol-powered cars. The findings come two months after plug-in hybrid vehicles lost a tax exemption, and despite persistently flat sales for electric vehicles this year. Australians purchased more than 109,000 new vehicles during May down from more than 111,000 during the same month in 2024. But the tally was the second highest recorded this year and FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said it showed supply and demand for vehicles was strong. "The results reflect a market that remains resilient and competitive by historic standards," he said. "The fundamentals of the market remain robust, with strong competition and consumer interest across a range of vehicle types." SUVs dominated new vehicle sales during the month, and grew by 6.6 per cent to represent more than 60 per cent of all cars sold. By comparison, passenger vehicle sales fell by 33 per cent and light commercial vehicle sales , such as utes and vans, fell by seven per cent. Sales of diesel and petrol-powered vehicles also fell by 1.1 per cent and nine per cent respectively. Despite changes to fringe-benefits tax exemptions, low-emission vehicles remained a popular choice in May, with sales of plug-in hybrid cars doubling compared to last year (3081) and hybrid sales up by 5.5 per cent (17,089). Electric cars also climbed during May to top 10,000 sales – a rise of 12.1 per cent compared to the year before – helping them to represent nine per cent of all new vehicles sold. Fortunes were mixed for electric vehicle market leader Tesla, however, as the company registered a sales rebound based on deliveries of its updated Model Y during May but sales of its Model 3 fell. The company, headed by controversial outgoing US government figure Elon Musk, recorded a sales boost of nine per cent for the month but a fall of 48 per cent for the year. Utes claimed the top two spots on the best-selling list for May, with the Toyota HiLux nudging out competition from the Ford Ranger, while seven of the top 10 spots were claimed by SUV models. Labor's win in the recent federal election will rule out proposed changes to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which is expected to introduce penalties for brands exceeding emission targets in July. But the automotive industry has joined with the European Australian Business Council to call for the government to reach a free trade agreement with the European Union to remove the luxury car tax and tariffs to make vehicles cheaper, Mr Weber said.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Australia's big car love affair still fuelling sales
Australians' love for big vehicles continues to fuel new car sales, with utes topping the charts and SUVs making up three in every five purchases. But motorists are still putting the brakes on vehicle buys as sales slowed by a small margin in May, according to figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Electric Vehicle Council on Wednesday. Only hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles managed to steer around the slowdown, with significant drops for diesel and petrol-powered cars. The findings come two months after plug-in hybrid vehicles lost a tax exemption, and despite persistently flat sales for electric vehicles this year. Australians purchased more than 109,000 new vehicles during May down from more than 111,000 during the same month in 2024. But the tally was the second highest recorded this year and FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said it showed supply and demand for vehicles was strong. "The results reflect a market that remains resilient and competitive by historic standards," he said. "The fundamentals of the market remain robust, with strong competition and consumer interest across a range of vehicle types." SUVs dominated new vehicle sales during the month, and grew by 6.6 per cent to represent more than 60 per cent of all cars sold. By comparison, passenger vehicle sales fell by 33 per cent and light commercial vehicle sales , such as utes and vans, fell by seven per cent. Sales of diesel and petrol-powered vehicles also fell by 1.1 per cent and nine per cent respectively. Despite changes to fringe-benefits tax exemptions, low-emission vehicles remained a popular choice in May, with sales of plug-in hybrid cars doubling compared to last year (3081) and hybrid sales up by 5.5 per cent (17,089). Electric cars also climbed during May to top 10,000 sales – a rise of 12.1 per cent compared to the year before – helping them to represent nine per cent of all new vehicles sold. Fortunes were mixed for electric vehicle market leader Tesla, however, as the company registered a sales rebound based on deliveries of its updated Model Y during May but sales of its Model 3 fell. The company, headed by controversial outgoing US government figure Elon Musk, recorded a sales boost of nine per cent for the month but a fall of 48 per cent for the year. Utes claimed the top two spots on the best-selling list for May, with the Toyota HiLux nudging out competition from the Ford Ranger, while seven of the top 10 spots were claimed by SUV models. Labor's win in the recent federal election will rule out proposed changes to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which is expected to introduce penalties for brands exceeding emission targets in July. But the automotive industry has joined with the European Australian Business Council to call for the government to reach a free trade agreement with the European Union to remove the luxury car tax and tariffs to make vehicles cheaper, Mr Weber said.
