2020 new-car sales: Toyota and HiLux dominate again in February as Holden falls to 15th in brand race

New-vehicle sales were down for the 23rd consecutive month in February, with VFACTS data released today revealing an 8.2 per cent decrease month-on-month.

In total, 79,940 new vehicles were sold last month, of which 49.2 per cent were SUVs (39,304), 28.3 per cent were passenger cars (22,648) and 19.4 per cent were light-commercial vehicles (15,523).

“In economic terms, a recession is declared after two quarters of negative growth – and this industry has now seen seven consecutive quarters of negative growth,” said Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber.

Worst start to the year in more than a decade as Australian new car sales continue to tumble

“There is no doubt that this is an extraordinarily difficult time for the automotive industry – a situation sadly underlined by the recent announcement of Holden’s withdrawal from the Australian market.”

Toyota was the best-selling brand yet again, with 17,679 sales (+0.5% month-on-month), ahead of Mazda (7230, -25.6%), Hyundai (5945, -9.9%), Mitsubishi (5513, -30.0%) and Kia (5120, +3.3%).

Ford (4856 sales, -10.6%), Nissan (3804, -6.2%), Volkswagen (3633, -10.5%), Honda (3522, -12.0%) and Mercedes-Benz Cars (2673, -2.5%) rounded out the top-10 brands.

Holden (1367 sales, -49.8% month-on-month) was a distant outsider in 15th place, falling behind Subaru (2603, -11.3%), BMW (2019, +1.1%), Isuzu Ute (1559, -16.0%) and Suzuki (1423, -12.2%).

The Toyota HiLux ute (3421 sales, -22.8% month-on-month) was the best-selling model once more, edging the Toyota RAV4 mid-size SUV (3375, +105.9%), Ford Ranger ute (3202, -5.2%), Toyota Corolla small car (2520, +21.7%) and Hyundai i30 small car (2152, +11.6%).

2019 new-car sales: Toyota leads market again as HiLux outsells Ford Ranger

Rounding out the top-10 models were the Mazda CX-5 mid-size SUV (1969 sales, -16.5% month-on-month), Kia Cerato small car (1873, +20.6%), Mitsubishi Triton ute (1673, -47.0%), Toyota Camry mid-size sedan (1445, +11.3%) and Nissan X-Trail mid-size SUV (1439, +1.3%).

For the first time in recent memory, the Mazda3 small car (1435 sales, -49.6%) was on the outside looking in, albeit in 11th position, after a tough February. Once upon a time, it was the best-selling model on an annual basis.

The most popular brands of February 2020

Ranking	Brand	Sales	Variance %
1	Toyota	17,679	+0.5
2	Mazda	7230	-25.6
3	Hyundai	5945	-9.9
4	Mitsubishi	5513	-30.0
5	Kia	5120	+3.3
6	Ford	4856	-10.6
7	Nissan	3804	-6.2
8	Volkswagen	3633	-10.5
9	Honda	3522	-12.0
10	Mercedes-Benz Cars	2673	-2.5

The best-selling models of February 2020

Ranking	Model	Sales	Variance %
1	Toyota HiLux	3421	-22.8
2	Toyota RAV4	3375	+105.9
3	Ford Ranger	3202	-5.2
4	Toyota Corolla	2520	+21.7
5	Hyundai i30	2152	+11.6
6	Mazda CX-5	1969	-16.5
7	Kia Cerato	1873	+20.6
8	Mitsubishi Triton	1673	-47.0
9	Toyota Camry	1445	+11.3
10	Nissan X-Trail	1439	+1.3