According to new data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Australians are now purchasing more cars made in China than South Korea. In February, 13,625 cars manufactured in China were sold, making it the third most common country of origin for new vehicles behind Japan and Thailand.
Notably, the popular Toyota Corolla did not make the top 10 list for the second consecutive month. Additionally, the Hyundai Tucson was absent from the list, with no Korean cars in the top 10. The fully-electric Tesla Model 3, produced in Shanghai, was Australia’s third most popular vehicle in February, selling 2,671 units and surpassing every SUV on the market.
China-made vehicles had two spots on the top 10 list, with the MG ZS SUV selling 2,047 units, and the only fully-electric cars in the top 10 list also coming from China.
The Thai-built Mitsubishi Outlander had a plug-in hybrid EV version, with 2,166 sales. Vehicles from Thailand had four spots on the top 10 list, with the Isuzu D-Max ute selling 1,931 units.
Japanese-built SUVs and four-wheel drives had four spots on the list, with the Mazda CX-5 selling 2,600 units, the Toyota RAV4 selling 2,115 units, the Toyota LandCruiser selling 1,783 units, and the Subaru Forester selling 1,709 units.
In February, Australia sold 86,878 vehicles, representing the best February result since 2019. Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries CEO Tony Weber praised the result, particularly given global and domestic supply constraints.
Battery, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles made up 13.9% of the market share, with 12,102 units sold.
As more charging stations are expected to boost EV sales, Weber noted that growing EV sales prove that Australian motorists will purchase these vehicles if they suit their driving habits, needs, and finances.
»Australians are now purchasing more cars made in China«
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