The October 2023 vehicle sales information has been released for Australia by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries. Despite two months left in the year, new vehicle sales year-to-date have just surpassed 1 Million sales (1,006,095 to be precise).
In October, there were just 6,057 EV sales (of a total 106,809 units), while the total EV sales for the year have now topped 71,800 units, up dramatically from 23,869 at the same time just 1 year earlier. This demonstrates a strong increase in the number of EV units sold, however, the growth in ICE vehicles means EVs accounted for just 5.7% of new car sales for the month, down from close to 8.8% in previous months.
While EV market leader Tesla holds the 8th position on the automaker leaderboard for 2023, it struggled to provide units in the month of October.
- Tesla Model 3 sold 1,178 units
- Tesla Model Y sold 810 units
The Model 3 figure is certainly explainable, impacted by Tesla ending deliveries of the current model and entering a pause until January when we’ll see the refreshed Model 3 arrive in Australia.
What is not clear is why the Model Y numbers are so low. Perhaps a shipping and logistics issue, but this is a large reduction from the many thousands per month we’re used to.
For the full 2023 year to date, Tesla has now sold 39,985, almost 40k, compared to just 15k at the same time in 2022.
It was also a light sales month for others like the Polestar 2 which sold just 78 units. BYD, the challenger to Tesla, could have capitalised on the sluggish Tesla sales, but also landed just 912 sales for the Atto 3 and 100 for the Dolphin as we wait for the BYD Seal to hit the roads shortly.
Kia sold 220 units of the EV6, while Hyundai sold just 99 Ioniq 5s and 51 Ioniq 6. The Kona did quite well at 1,378 units.
The Australian market has demonstrated incredible strength and vitality throughout
FCAI Chief Executive, Tony Weber
2023, culminating in Australia reaching one million sales in October for the first time,
After some challenging years through COVID, this milestone speaks to the range of
vehicles available to consumers, affirming Australia’s position as one of the world’s
most dynamic and competitive markets. It also reflects vastly improved supply chains.
In the past six months, five have broken all-time sales records compared with
previous years and in October 106,809 new vehicles were delivered to Australian
Customers.
For non-EV vehicles, Toyota topped the charts with a total of 20,298 new vehicles sold, with the Hi-Lux leading their sales with 5,766 units. The best nameplate was the Ford Ranger with 6,215 units.
