The Australian car sales statistics change every year. Below is a list of car sales statistics from our survey for the year 2023.
Quick Stats
The Australian automotive sector shipped 86,878 automobiles in February 2023, a 1.8% increase over the corresponding month in 2022.
Since 2019, this has been the greatest February outcome. It is very rewarding, especially given the difficulty of the past two, given the domestic and global supply limits.
In 2023, the market for electric vehicles is anticipated to generate US$2.04 billion in revenue. Market volume is expected to reach US$4.56 billion by 2027, with revenue estimated to expand at 22.27% annually (CAGR 2023–2027).
To better understand the status of Australia’s new and used car markets, we’ve compiled the most recent market data and thoughtfully surveyed Australians who own registered cars and are 18+ through Pure Profile. Below are the observed outcomes:
- 1.0 New Vehicle Sales Statistics For Australians in 2023
- 2.0 Statistics on Australian Electric Vehicle Sales
- 3.0 Results From a Car Sales Survey
- 4.0 Key Takeaways
1.0 Australian New Vehicle Sales Statistics
1.1 New Car Sales
According to Official sales data recently, despite persistent stock shortages, economic instability, high inflation, and rising interest rates, demand for new cars in Australia is still strong.
However, many new cars recorded as sold in January 2023 were ordered last year and delivered in bulk batches.
According to data, 84,873 new cars were sold last month, a rise of 11.9% over the same period in the previous year.
1.2 Types of Vehicles Sold in January (By Class)
| Class | January 2023 | January 2022 |
| Suv | 46, 698 | 39,597 |
| Passenger Cars | 16,602 | 15,737 |
| Commercial Vehicles | 18,546 | 18,259 |
| Heavy Commercial Vehicles | 3,027 | 2,270 |
The market for new vehicles sold in March 2023 totalled 97,251, a 3.9% reduction from March 2022’s sales of 3,982 cars (101,233). Both March 2023 and March 2022 had 26.5 selling days, which resulted in a drop of 150.3 vehicle sales daily.
Passenger vehicle sales are down 4,817 (21.9%) from last year’s month. In comparison, sports utility vehicle sales increased by 2,633 (5.2%), light commercial vehicle sales decreased by 2,182 (-9.0%), and heavy commercial vehicle sales increased by 384 (9.3%) from March 2022.
March saw Toyota top the market, followed by Mazda and Ford. Mazda was outsold by Toyota by 4,980 vehicles and 5.1 market share points.
1.3 Top 5 Selling Brands of 2023 January
| Brand | 2023 Sales (% Market Share) | % Change from 2022 |
| Toyota | 13,363(15.7%) | -12.8% |
| Mazda | 9,407 (11.1%) | -4.1% |
| Ford | 6,624 (7.8%) | +46.3% |
| Kia | 6,006 (7.1%) | +8..8% |
| Hyundai | 5,809 (6.8%) | +13.3% |
With over 20% of all new car sales in Australia in 2023, Toyota has maintained its dominance over the market. Among the brands in the top 5 last year, Ford and Mazda saw the biggest gain.
1.4 Sales of New Vehicles According to Territory/State
| State/Territory | Jan 2023 Sales | % Change from Jan 2021 |
| New South Wales | 26,484 | +15.0% |
| Australian Capital Territory | 1394 | +18.6% |
| South Australia | 5786 | +11.9% |
| Northern Territory | 665 | +7.8% |
| Tasmania | 1510 | +2.9% |
| Queensland | 18,766 | +14.3% |
| Western Australia | 7901 | +4.3% |
| Victoria | 22,367 | +9.7% |
Every region grew in January state-by-state, with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) seeing the most significant gains.
The ACT sold 1394 vehicles on January 2023 (+18.6%), outpacing New South Wales (26,484 units and +15%), Queensland (18,766 units and +14.3%), South Australia (5786 units and +11.9%), Victoria (22,367 units and 9.7%), the Northern Territory (665 units and +7.8%), Western Australia (7901 units and +4.3%), and Tasmania at the bottom of the list (1510 and 2.9%).
2.0 Statics on Australian Electric Vehicle
2.1 Annual Sales For Electric Vehicles in Australia
In Australia, deliveries of fully electric cars (EVs) totalled 17,396 units in the first quarter of 2023, a significant increase of 157.6% compared to last year. With Tesla included in both times, the overall EV market share in the first quarter of 2023 was 6.5%, up from just 2.6% at the same time last year.
2.2 Global Percentage Increase of EVs in New Vehicle Sales in 2023
Over 662,400 new passenger plug-in electric cars were registered in January, according to EV-Volumes data. That represents around 10% higher than 2021 and about 11% of the overall market.
Later this year, sales are anticipated to pick up and surpass one million units per month once more.
3.0 Results of Car Sales Survey
3.1 How Did You Get Your Primary Vehicle?
In Australia, 84% of participants bought their primary, daily vehicle (new or used) on public markets. However, the proportion of participants aged 18 to 24 decreased to just 67%.
For younger car owners, the odds of receiving a car as a gift and purchasing one from a recognised source were significantly greater.
3.2 Was Your Primary Automobile New or Second-Hand When You Bought It?
Interestingly, about equally as many respondents to our study purchased their vehicles, either brand-new or secondhand, yet a distinct pattern is seen when age is considered. Participants under 35 were much more likely to buy a used car, while those above 35 were all significantly more likely to buy a new car.
According to respondents’ state of residence, those from New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland were more likely to have purchased their primary, daily vehicle brand-new. Respondents more likely to purchase their second-hand automobile lived in Western Australia, South Australia, or Tasmania.
To determine how likely a person was to have purchased a used automobile over time, we asked participants in question 3.4 when they bought their primary, everyday car. Just 27% of participants who bought their car in 2000 or earlier did so used.
This rose to a startling 57% for individuals who purchased their automobiles in 2021 or later. This may be because global auto production has declined, pushing more drivers to turn to the secondhand car market during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3.3 When Was Your Primary, Everyday Vehicle Manufactured?
Surprisingly, 2.7% of participants who bought their current, everyday car brand-new claimed that it was built in 2000 or before. Almost 60% of participants claimed their car was made between 2011 and 2020.
Once again, buying habits appear to relate to a driver’s age. Compared to those aged 25–54, those aged 18–24 were likelier to own a car made before (or in) 2000. This might imply that people in this age group drive vehicles older than their age.
Most respondents who indicated owning an automobile made in 2021 or later were between 25 and 34. Likely, people between the ages of 25 and 34 who did purchase a new car did so during the recent few years, given that this cohort didn’t have the highest rates of new car ownership.
3.4 Which Year Did You Acquire Your Primary Vehicle?
In our analysis, well over 70% of Aussies bought their current daily vehicle around 2011 and 2020. However, the most astounding discovery is the disparity between those who bought their automobile new and those who bought used. Compared to new cars, used cars were more likely to have been purchased in 2021 or 2022.
In recent years, western Australians have had the highest likelihood of purchasing their daily vehicle.
3.5 What Best Describes Your Everyday Vehicle?
Over 30% of Australians claimed a sedan is their primary daily vehicle. Yet, as evidenced by industry data from the Federal Chamber of Automobile Industry (FCAI), sales and popularity of SUVs have increased recently.
And the years that the participants’ cars were produced reflect this. Australia’s SUV market is expected to increase by 5.80% between 2023 and 2027, reaching a market size of US$8.85 billion in 2027.
In recent years, utes and 4x4s have profited as well. Considering the year of production, utes increased from 2.5% of all vehicles produced between 2011 and 2020 to 4.5% in 2021 or beyond.
Further, more young Australians (18–24) owned hatchbacks than any other type of vehicle, making up 57% of all vehicles owned by this group. Around 36% of those in the 25–34 age group own SUVs. This is primarily due to the car’s family-friendly nature.
3.6 What Powers Your Primary Car?
It should be noted that none of the surveyed respondents who drove electric vehicles was included in this report. This still serves as a decent representation of how electric vehicles are used on Australian roads.
Even if it represents an improvement over prior years, 2% of new vehicle sales in 2021 won’t translate to a statistically significant number of EVs among all the automobiles registered in Australia.
The number of vehicles using unleaded fuel is, however, clearly falling. 90% of the vehicles owned by our participants were built in 2000 or earlier and ran on unleaded petrol. Analysing automobiles created in (or after) 2021 reduces that to just 75%.
Battery/fuel hybrid options have dramatically increased to counteract this reduction. Only 1.2% of the participants’ automobiles were hybrids from 2011 to 2020.
Our Australian respondents are growing in their willingness to run automobiles on electricity, consistent with the main conclusions of reports published by the Electric Vehicle Council.
4.0 Key Takeaways
The Used Car Market Is Gradually Trending in the Car Market
The majority of respondents to our survey who bought their car in 2010 or before did so brand-new. Even among individuals who bought their cars between 2011 and 2020, more bought new cars than used ones.
Nonetheless, COVID-19’s effects have changed availability, which has, in turn, changed demand. Most participants who bought an automobile in 2021 or 2023 did so used rather than brand-new.
Even though the problems caused by COVID-19 (which reduced availability and production) were directly tied to new cars, the repercussions have spread to the used car market. 60% of participants who purchased a used automobile in 2023 reported that COVID-19 made the transaction more difficult or expensive, virtually mirroring the rate mentioned by those who purchased new cars.
Our survey results indicate that buying a used automobile is becoming increasingly similar to buying a new car in terms of both sales volumes and COVID challenges.
Australia’s Interest in EVs Is Increasing by the Day
While our study did not adequately represent EV owners, it did capture the higher production rate of hybrid vehicles. Furthermore, industry data from the Electric Vehicle Council demonstrated that Australia’s EV rate in total new car sales is alarmingly increasing.
Long driving distances and a lack of electric charging options have always troubled Australia. However, with most modern shopping centres offering EV parks/charging outlets and home charging options being less expensive than ever-increasing fuel prices, the hurdles to owning an electric vehicle are lowering.
But, as charging stations become more popular and accessible, demand for EVs is projected to rise.
