Car sales plummet by almost 50 per cent in the wake of the coronavirus crisis but one model surges in popularity as doomsayers opt for a VERY modern 4WD

  • Australian car sales plunged by 48.5 per cent in April compared with April 2019
  • Biggest plunge in Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data back to 1991
  • Toyota RAV4 defied gloom, posted 54.4 per cent annual sales surge last month
  • It has overtaken the Ford Ranger to be Australia’s second most popular vehicle
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

By Stephen Johnson For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 05:06 BST, 5 May 2020 | Updated: 08:06 BST, 5 May 2020

Australian car sales have halved for the first time ever but one stylish new four-wheel drive has defied the gloom to surge in popularity.

In April, the number of brand-new vehicles leaving the showroom plunged by 48.5 per cent compared with a year earlier, new Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data showed.

With just 38,926 cars sold last month, this represented the biggest plummet in VFacts sales records going back to 1991. 

Australian car sales have halved for the first time ever but one stylish new four-wheel drive has defied the gloom to surge in popularity. the Toyota RAV4 has defied the trend with its sales surging by 54.4 per cent last month, compared with the same period in 2019

Australian car sales have halved for the first time ever but one stylish new four-wheel drive has defied the gloom to surge in popularity. the Toyota RAV4 has defied the trend with its sales surging by 54.4 per cent last month, compared with the same period in 2019

Nonetheless, the Toyota RAV4 has defied the trend with its sales surging by 54.4 per cent last month, compared with the same period in 2019.

Australia’s bestsellers took a hit in April – except one

1. Toyota HiLux: down 35.4 per cent

2. Toyota RAV4: up 54.4 per cent

3. Toyota LandCruiser: down 21.2 per cent

4. Ford Ranger: down 48.9 per cent

5. Toyota Corolla: down 50.8 per cent

6. Toyota Prado: down 35.7 per cent

7. Kia Cerato: down 47.9 per cent

8. Holden Colorado: down 31.8 per cent

9. Isuzu D-Max ute: down 43.9 per cent

10. Hyundai i30: down 63.6 per cent

Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries VFacts data for April 2020 compared with April 2019 

The fifth-generation SUV, available as a front-wheel drive or a 4WD, has overtaken the Ford Ranger ute to become Australia’s second best selling car, behind the Toyota HiLux.

It was the only car in the top ten not to suffer a sales plunge.

Even the HiLux, Australia’s bestseller every year since 2016, suffered a 35.4 per cent sales drop, compared with a year earlier.

The Toyota LandCruiser has cruised into third place but even then, its sales were 21.2 per cent weaker compared with a year ago.

The Ford Ranger, usually No.2 on the sales charts, saw its sales almost halve, falling by 48.9 per cent to hit the No. 4 spot. 

The Toyota Corolla, Australia’s bestselling car in 2015, also suffered a dramatic dive, with sales plunging by 50.8 per cent in April 2020 when compared with April 2019.

Unusually Holden, which won’t exist as a brand in Australia next year, had a No. 8 bestseller with the Colorado ute while Mazda didn’t feature at all in the top ten – despite the Mazda3 and CX-5 SUV usually making the cut. 

The Toyota HiLux, Australia's bestseller every year since 2016, suffered a 35.4 per cent sales drop, compared with a year earlier

The Toyota HiLux, Australia's bestseller every year since 2016, suffered a 35.4 per cent sales drop, compared with a year earlier

The Toyota HiLux, Australia’s bestseller every year since 2016, suffered a 35.4 per cent sales drop, compared with a year earlier

The Ford Ranger, usually No.2 on the sales charts, saw its sales almost halve, falling by 48.9 per cent to hit the No. 4 spot

The Ford Ranger, usually No.2 on the sales charts, saw its sales almost halve, falling by 48.9 per cent to hit the No. 4 spot

The Ford Ranger, usually No.2 on the sales charts, saw its sales almost halve, falling by 48.9 per cent to hit the No. 4 spot

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said coronavirus had kept buyers away from the showroom.

‘Clearly, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major influence on the April sales result, and reflects a downturn in the broader economy right across the country,’ he said.

In April, 38,926 cars were sold, a 48.5 per cent drop compared with 75,550 in April 2019.

It was the largest annual decline in records going back to 1991. 

Year-to-date figures for April totalled 272,287 sales, down 20.9 per cent from 344,088 in 2019.

In April, the number of brand-new vehicles leaving the showroom plunged by 48.5 per cent compared with a year earlier, new Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data showed. This was the biggest plummet in VFacts sales records going back to 1991. Pictured is Brisbane's Coronation Drive without any traffic as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns

In April, the number of brand-new vehicles leaving the showroom plunged by 48.5 per cent compared with a year earlier, new Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data showed. This was the biggest plummet in VFacts sales records going back to 1991. Pictured is Brisbane's Coronation Drive without any traffic as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns

In April, the number of brand-new vehicles leaving the showroom plunged by 48.5 per cent compared with a year earlier, new Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data showed. This was the biggest plummet in VFacts sales records going back to 1991. Pictured is Brisbane’s Coronation Drive without any traffic as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns

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