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The Advertiser
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- 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
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- 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.
West Australian
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
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.
Courier-Mail
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
EV sales in Australia drop to lowest level in two years: AAA
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Electric vehicle sales in Australia have sunk to their lowest level in two years as more Aussies turn to the 'range safety' of traditional combustion engines or plug-in hybrids. Data from the Australian Automobile Association revealed just 17,914 EVs were sold in the first three months of 2025 or just over 6 per cent of all vehicle sales in the country. The AAA quarterly vehicle report showed the last time EV sales were at that level was in 2023 when 17,396 cars were sold during the same period. The 2025 data also shows EVs have dropped market share when compared to the final three months of 2024 – 21,331 EVs were sold in the last quarter of 2024 to make up 7.42 per cent of the country's vehicle sales. That represents a drop of 1.12 per cent in market share quarter to quarter. MORE:Car prices set to plummet EV sales in Australia have dropped to a two-year low. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Naomi Jellicoe MORE:First look: Car ready to take over Australia Industry experts say the government's attitude to EV subsidies has a massive part to play in consumer sentiment. Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries boss Tony Weber told he doesn't believe EV sales can recover without proper government support. 'Subsidies remain central to the success of EV policy in many leading markets. In European markets and other markets around the world, including New Zealand, demand for electric vehicles softened when governments reduced subsidies,' he said. While the drop would be of some concern to the EV industry it hasn't come at the expense of the environment. While Aussies have steered slightly away of outright EVs, it hasn't been a return to petrol-only engines either. MORE:Bad news for electric vehicles in Australia Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries CEO Tony Weber believes EV sales will only increase with government support. MORE:Staggering loss proves Cybertruck is dead Hybrid vehicles have boomed as Australians look for an environmental alternative that also includes the safety net of a combustion engine that allows greater distance range and less time to charge and get going. Plug-in hybrid sales almost doubled in the first three months of 2025 to 13,698 or almost 5 per cent of the market. That's up from 7556 sales (2.63 per cent) in the last quarter of 2024. The number of conventional hybrid vehicles sold increased from 42,618 to 46,115 over the same period. Vehicles with traditional petrol engines continued to make up the vast number of sales in Australia for the first quarter of 2025 but did experience a drop. EVs are flooding into Australia from China but less people are buying them in 2025. More than 206,800 vehicles were sold, comprising 72.68% of all sales in Australia. Those figures represent a drop of about 10,000 sales and almost 2.5 per cent market share compared to the end of 2024. Despite the drop in EV sales, the industry is confident transactions will recover. 'We expect that segment of the market to bounce back given a post-FBT exemption dip was always to be expected,' Electric Vehicle Council's Aman Guar told 'Once someone chooses an EV of any kind they are very unlikely to ever go back to traditional cars again. The day-to-day convenience, the pleasurable driving experience, and the cost of living benefits of EVs combine into a very attractive package and these attractions are only going to grow stronger.' Originally published as EV sales in Australia drop to lowest level in two years: AAA
Sky News AU
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Sky News AU
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle sales slump in April after Labor's subsidies end
Aussie drivers are turning their backs on hybrid electric cars after Labor's subsidy ended, sending sales for the vehicle plummeting. New data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries showed a sharp decline in sales of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles after the fringe benefits tax exemption for the car-type ended. About 2600 plug-in hybrids were purchased in April, making up 2.9 per cent of sales. This was well below the 4.7 per cent market share of sales plug-in hybrids made up between the start of 2025 and March. FCAI's chief executive Tony Weber said the substantial drop showed the critical role the government's subsidies played in boosting hybrid vehicle sales. 'The earlier inclusion of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the FBT exemption played a critical role in making these vehicles accessible to more Australians,' Mr Weber said. 'Removing that support has led to an immediate and disappointing drop in demand in a price-sensitive vehicle market.' He also warned the downturn in hybrid-vehicle sales exposed challenges facing Labor as it looks to hit emissions reductions targets under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard – a government initiative to limit vehicle emissions. 'For NVES to succeed, it must be supported by holistic policy settings that assist consumers to move to zero and low-emission technologies, including continued investment in recharging infrastructure,' Mr Weber said. News Corp's head of motoring content David McCowen said the silver lining of the hybrid car slump is an array of sales could be coming for consumers as a result. 'I think we're going to see a lot of deals coming on,' Mr McCowen said. 'Car companies are really struggling to move product at the moment and June is always an amazing time to buy a car, as everyone tries to get their numbers up before the end of the financial year.' Toyota was the market leader in April with 19,380 sales while Ford (7,334 cars sold) came second and Mazda (6,573 cars sold) followed.
