Proof the SUV rules the roads: History is made as a soft-roader takes top spot in Austalia’s top-selling car list for the first time ever – knocking off the Hi-Lux

  • Toyota RAV4 is the first SUV ever to be Australia’s top-selling car in any month
  • The Toyota HiLux ute’s uninterrupted, three-year run at No.1 ended in July 2020
  • SUVs with higher ground clearance had a 50.4 per cent share of new car market 

By Stephen Johnson For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 06:59 BST, 5 August 2020 | Updated: 07:04 BST, 5 August 2020

An SUV is Australia’s bestselling car for the first time ever with the Toyota HiLux ute’s uninterrupted, three-year run at the top now over.

The Toyota RAV4 was the most popular vehicle in July with its monthly sales tally of 4,309 marking a 78.1 per cent increase compared with the same time last year, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has revealed.

In another historic first, the majority of cars sold on Australian roads are now an SUV with higher ground clearance – with this feat achieved during another horror month for the industry.

The Toyota RAV4 was the most popular vehicle in July with its monthly sales tally of 4,309 marking a 78.1 per cent increase compared with the same time last year. In another historic first, the majority of cars sold on Australian roads are now an SUV with higher ground clearance

The Toyota RAV4 was the most popular vehicle in July with its monthly sales tally of 4,309 marking a 78.1 per cent increase compared with the same time last year. In another historic first, the majority of cars sold on Australian roads are now an SUV with higher ground clearance 

The HiLux last month fell into third place, behind its perennial rival the Ford Ranger, with its monthly sales diving by 12.3 per cent to 2,947. 

The ute has been Australia’s annual top-selling vehicle since 2016 but it hasn’t been beaten in a monthly sales race since October 2017, when the Hyundai i30 outsold it a month after the Ranger had been the bestseller. 

Vehicle sales in July dived by 12.8 per cent compared with the same month in 2019

Vehicle sales in July dived by 12.8 per cent compared with the same month in 2019

Vehicle sales in July dived by 12.8 per cent compared with the same month in 2019

In an automotive first, SUVs with higher ground clearance comprised the majority of new vehicles on Australian roads with a 50.4 per cent market share in July, double the 25 per cent share of traditional passenger vehicles. 

The Toyota RAV4, available as a four-wheel drive or a front-wheel drive, is also the first SUV ever to come first in a monthly sales race.

The milestone was reached 24 years after the Hyundai Excel became the first fully imported car to top the monthly sales charts in Australia, back when the most basic Korean hatchback marketed as a Sprint sold for $13,990 driveaway.

The HiLux last month fell into third place, behind its perennial rival the Ford Ranger, with its monthly sales diving by 12.3 per cent to 2,947. The ute has been Australia's annual top-selling vehicle since 2016 but it hasn't been beaten in a monthly sales race since October 2017

The HiLux last month fell into third place, behind its perennial rival the Ford Ranger, with its monthly sales diving by 12.3 per cent to 2,947. The ute has been Australia's annual top-selling vehicle since 2016 but it hasn't been beaten in a monthly sales race since October 2017

The HiLux last month fell into third place, behind its perennial rival the Ford Ranger, with its monthly sales diving by 12.3 per cent to 2,947. The ute has been Australia’s annual top-selling vehicle since 2016 but it hasn’t been beaten in a monthly sales race since October 2017

The Australian-made Holden Commodore went on to win the 1996 sales race and remained the annual bestseller every year uninterrupted until 2010. 

If history is any guide, the Toyota HiLux is likely to be the bestseller for 2020 in a declining market hit by COVID-19 lockdowns.

Vehicle sales in July dived by 12.8 per cent compared with the same month in 2019. 

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said strict lockdowns in Melbourne in a bid to combat the spread of coronavirus was likely to worsen an already bad situation for the car industry.

‘The extended stage four restrictions which have now been invoked in Australia’s second largest market, Victoria, will no doubt further challenge the industry during the coming months,’ he said.

The Ford Ranger was Australia's second-best selling vehicle in July, outselling its rival the Toyota HiLux for the first time since September 2017

The Ford Ranger was Australia's second-best selling vehicle in July, outselling its rival the Toyota HiLux for the first time since September 2017

The Ford Ranger was Australia’s second-best selling vehicle in July, outselling its rival the Toyota HiLux for the first time since September 2017

Australia’s top selling car companies in July

1 Toyota 15,508 sales

2 Mazda 7806

3 Mitsubishi 4684

4 Hyundai 4634

5 Kia 4625

6 Ford 4573

7 Volkswagen 3710

8 Nissan 2906

9 Subaru 2864

10 Honda 2199   

Australia’s top selling vehicles in July

1 Toyota RAV4 4309 sales

2 Ford Ranger 3104

3 Toyota Hi-Lux 2947

4 Toyota Corolla 2192

5 Hyundai i30 1745

6 Mazda CX-5 1727

7 Mitsubishi Triton 1593

8 Mazda CX-3 1355

9 Toyota Camry 1281

10 Mazda3 1224

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