Ford Ranger reclaims title as Australia’s best-seller as SUV and ute sales surge in October

The Ford Ranger has reclaimed the title of Australia’s top selling car after SUVs and light commercial vehicles dominated the new car market, accounting for 80 per cent of sales.

Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) continue to find favour with Australian new car buyers despite concerns about rising petrol prices, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries’ (FCAI) monthly VFACTS report.

With the Ford Ranger leapfrogging the Toyota Hilux as the nation’s highest selling car, nine of the top 10 highest selling vehicles in October 2022 were SUVs or utes, with sales of SUVs up 37 per cent compared to the same month last year.

SUVs and utes accounted for 80 per cent of the 87,299 new vehicles sold nationally for the month. Overall, new car sales rose 16.9 per cent higher in October 2022 compared to October 2021.

Across the country, new car sales in Victoria increased 24.3 per cent on October 2021, while NSW and Queensland rose 10.2 per cent and 16.7 per cent respectively. Tasmanian new car sales registered the biggest percentage increase, up 25.1 per cent on the same month last year.

The bumper sales result in October may be a sign of improving supply of new cars into Australia according to the FCAI. New car supply constraints and semiconductor shortages have contributed to a surge in used car values since the start of the pandemic, particularly for in-demand utes and SUVs.

“Globally, car manufacturers have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This October figure is a positive sign that supply chains are recovering and consistency is returning to the marketplace, but we still have some way to go before it returns to normal,” said FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber.