Data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) revealed light commercial vehicles and SUVs made up 76.8% of all new sales in 2022, including eight top 10 sellers.

Leading the way was the Toyota HiLux (64,391 sales), followed by Ford Ranger (47,479) and Toyota RAV4 (34,845).

The top-selling brand was Toyota (231,050 sales) , with 21.4% of the market, putting it well clear of second-placed Mazda (95,718). Kia filled third place (78,330).

A total of 1,081,429 vehicles were delivered during what FCAI described as an unusual year when demand exceeded supply. 

FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said the pathway through COVID-19 recovery, microprocessor shortages and bottlenecks due to global shipping issues had created great challenges for car makers and their dealer networks in 2022.

He said through it all two interesting car-buying trends had emerged.

“SUVs and light commercials now represent more than three-quarters of all sales in the market, which is quite extraordinary,” Mr Weber said.

“The second thing has been the growth of EVs and other low-emission vehicles. Combined, they represent about 10% of the market.

“So, there have been substantial changes in both those areas.”

Battery electric vehicles accounted for 3.1% of new car sales in 2022.

Top 10 model sales 2022

Top 10 sales by brand

What the future holds

Mr Weber forecast rapid developments in the motoring industry in coming years, which would benefit drivers and the environment.

“Australian motorists should be really excited about 2023 and the future,” he said.

“We’re anticipating in the next 30 years there will be greater change in the automotive industry than what there has been in the last 120 years.

“What I am talking about is major improvements in safety, connected vehicles, self-driving or automated vehicles and we’re also looking at a suite of technologies that will reduce the emissions coming out of tailpipes of cars.

“There are many challenges there but there are also many opportunities and what it will deliver is better outcomes for the roads and consumers.” 

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