Chinese-made SUV makes history as Australia’s top ten models are revealed

An SUV selling for just $21,990 has made history by becoming the first Chinese-made car to enter Australia’s top ten on the sales charts.

Last month the ZS made by MG, a former British sports car marque, was Australia’s tenth most popular car, marking the first time a car from China reached that milestone.

In July, 1,786 left the showroom, more than five times the number sold in July 2020. 

Just five months earlier MG, owned by the Shanghai state-owned SAIC Motor group, became the first Chinese-owned brand to make the top ten. 

A Chinese-made SUV selling for just $21,990 drive away has made history by entering Australia’s top ten list. Last month, the ZS SUV was Australia’s tenth most popular car, marking the first time a Chinese-made car had been among the elite bestsellers

Despite its sales success, the MG was Australia's fifth most popular SUV after the Mazda CX-5 (pictured), which had 2,389 sales, followed by the Toyota RAV4 (2,345 sales), Toyota Prado (2,251 sales) and the Mitsubishi Outlander (1,792 sales)

Despite its sales success, the MG was Australia’s fifth most popular SUV after the Mazda CX-5 (pictured), which had 2,389 sales, followed by the Toyota RAV4 (2,345 sales), Toyota Prado (2,251 sales) and the Mitsubishi Outlander (1,792 sales)

Despite its sales success, the MG was the fifth most popular SUV after the Mazda CX-5, which had 2,389 sales, the Toyota RAV4 (2,345 sales), Toyota Prado (2,251 sales) and the Mitsubishi Outlander (1,792 sales).

The Toyota HiLux regained the overall No. 1 spot from the Ford Ranger, notching up 4,610 sales compared with its rival’s 4,064.

The Isuzu D-Max with 2,427 sales was Australia’s fourth most popular vehicle in July, with its sales more than triple the 705 tally of a year earlier.

The Toyota Corolla was third on the list, with 2,535 sales, making it and the Hyundai i30 with 1,914 sales the only small cars among the top ten.

Despite lockdowns in Sydney, overall Australia car sales surged by 16.1 per cent in July compared with the same month in 2020, which followed national Covid lockdowns.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said this was particularly remarkable considering the global computer chips shortage.

‘The growth of 16.1 per cent shows the underlying strength, confidence and resilience in the market in spite of the challenges being presented due to lockdowns and ongoing delivery issues caused by microprocessor shortages and shipping delays,’ he said.

The Isuzu D-Max with 2,427 sales was Australia's fourth most popular vehicle in July, with its sales more than triple the 705 tally of a year earlier

The Isuzu D-Max with 2,427 sales was Australia’s fourth most popular vehicle in July, with its sales more than triple the 705 tally of a year earlier

Ute sales had the most growth with the light commercial segment seeing a 40.9 per cent increase compared with the same month in 2020 whereas SUVs were up 15 per cent year-on-year.

During the past year, a record 540,197 SUVs have been sold, making up more than half the 1,053,677 new vehicles leaving the dealer.

CommSec senior economist Ryan Felsman said SUV sales were keeping car yards busy.

‘While lockdowns and supply constraints weighed on sales growth momentum, insatiable consumer demand for new sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and utes continue to support car dealerships,’ he said.

The Toyota Corolla (pictured) was third on the list, with 2,535 sales, making it and the Hyundai i30 with 1,914 sales the only small cars among the top ten

The Toyota Corolla (pictured) was third on the list, with 2,535 sales, making it and the Hyundai i30 with 1,914 sales the only small cars among the top ten

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