A few weeks ago we looked at the wrong cars that arrived at the wrong time.
The likes of the Holden Commodore ZB, Range Rover Evoque Convertible and Tesla Cybertruck that flopped and were always destined to flop.
This time around we’re being more positive and taking a look at those cars that have arrived at precisely the right moment. We’ve also kept it more relevant, with several recent arrivals making our list - plus a few old favourites.
Let us know in the comments or on social media if we got it right or if you think we missed some obvious examples of the right car at the right time.
MG4 Urban
Few cars have launched at such an optimum time as MG’s latest. This small hatch costs less than a Toyota Corolla Hybrid but is all-electric, meaning you’re saving money on the purchase price and then (in theory) on the running costs.
Hitting Australian roads the same month petrol prices started to spike and interest in electric vehicles (EVs) surged, MG may have given Australian customers exactly what they want.
It’s too early to tell if it will be a sales success or not, so we may end up looking wrong in hindsight, but all signs point to it being a prime example of the right car at the right time.
BYD Shark 6
To many observers the idea of a plug-in hybrid dual-cab ute was a foolish one. The ute market is dominated by diesels and BYD’s radical concept was going to fall flat on its face.
It turns out those observers were dead wrong. The Shark 6 has proven to be an immediate sales success, as ute buyers have embraced its combination of electric and turbocharged petrol power.
Its early success was helped by fringe benefit tax breaks, but its on-going popularity suggests there has been a shift in the buying habits of Australian ute customers.
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro
We didn’t say this was a list of the ‘best cars’, because the Tiggo 4 Pro has its flaws, but it is another prime example of a car brand filling a gap in the market at precisely the right moment.
The diminutive SUV has become a runaway sales hit for the Chinese brand for one key reason - value. It may not be perfect, but with a starting price of $23,990 drive-away it is one of the most-affordable new cars you can buy.
At that price it doesn’t have to be flawless, and Chery has had no trouble finding buyers that have been priced out by the likes of Toyota, Hyundai and Ford, looking for their first new car.
Holden Commodore VB
Rising oil prices driving petrol prices to new heights and creating a surge in demand for smaller, more efficient models - sounds familiar, right? I’m not talking about 2026, I’m talking about the 1979 energy crisis and the arrival of the then-new Holden Commodore.
Smaller and more fuel-efficient than the Kingswood it replaced, the Commodore was just what Australian buyers were looking for at that point. The original VB Commodore became an almost-immediate sales leader for Holden, setting the legacy that continued for more than four decades.
Ford Ranger (T6)
When Ford launched the new, Australian-developed Ranger in 2011 the sales charts were dominated by small cars. The Mazda3 was the best-seller that year and the Toyota Corolla, Holden Cruze and Hyundai i30 were all amongst the top six.
We didn’t know it then, but the T6 Ranger was about to radically alter the Australian automotive landscape. By 2013 it was inside the top 10 sellers and within five years it was locked into the top five most popular models.
It has since gone on to topple the beloved Toyota HiLux, not only as Australia’s favourite ute, but as Australia’s favourite new vehicle.
Whether Ford predicted it or not, the more refined, family-friendly Ranger was just what people were looking for. The Ranger effectively replaced the Falcon in Ford Australia’s line-up (and likely in plenty of driveways) as the ute evolved from workhorse to family favourite.
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