2024 saw a record number of new vehicles delivered to Australian buyers, and a handful of brands almost singlehandedly helped the new high-water mark happen.
Of the 51 brands which sold vehicles in Australia throughout 2024 (and had been here the year prior), and which reported sales to either the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) or the Electric Vehicle Council, only 19 posted year-on-year increases.
However, their cumulative gains of 91,518 deliveries outweighed the drop in 69,738 deliveries from the 32 brands which posted decreases.
There were five brands which were particular standouts, not only in the increased volume of vehicle deliveries they made from 2023 to 2024, but also the percentage.
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Toyota – Up 26,056 deliveries (12.1 per cent) to 241,296
Australia’s most popular brand for the 22nd straight year achieved a new sales record in 2024, delivering 241,296 vehicles.
It surpassed its previous record of 238,938 deliveries in 2008.
The undisputed driving force behind its win was the RAV4, which pushed past the HiLux to become Toyota’s best-selling model – and came within fewer than 4000 deliveries of the market-leading Ford Ranger.
Toyota delivered 29,091 more RAV4s in 2024 than in 2023, driving its year-on-year increase of 26,056 deliveries.
This offset a significant decline of 10,908 LandCruiser Prado deliveries, though this was due to the old 150 Series departing showrooms and the 250 Series not arriving for a handful of months after.
While Toyota ultimately wasn’t able to retake the model sales crown in 2024, it’ll be entering 2025 with confidence as it’s claimed to still have strong order books for the RAV4, which had previously experienced wait times of more than two years for certain variants.
Other models which experienced year-on-year increases included the HiAce van (up 4949), the Camry (up 4820 after a late change to a new generation) and the Corolla Cross (up 4041).
Ford – Up 12,370 deliveries (14.1 per cent) to 100,170
The Ranger became the first Ford to take consecutive annual sales wins since the EB/ED Falcon in 1992 and 1993, though it wasn’t the reason why the brand recorded a delivery increase in 2024.
That instead was due to the Ford Everest, of which 11,423 more examples were delivered in 2024 compared to the year prior, effectively leading the brand’s charge past Mazda on the overall sales charts.
Such was the popularity of the Everest that its deliveries climbed by almost 76 per cent, with some buyers believed to be those unwilling to wait for the new Toyota Prado but willing to spend extra over the similar Isuzu MU-X.
The Everest’s popularity offset a drop in deliveries for the Escape (axed), Puma (axed), Mustang coupe (delayed launch) and even the Ranger, though the latter could be attributed to the sheer volume of its first full year on sale in 2023.
Mitsubishi – Up 11,036 deliveries (17.4 per cent) to 74,547
Mitsubishi was one of the quiet achievers for the year, with all models in its Australian showroom experiencing an increase in deliveries throughout 2024.
The Outlander continued to be its volume-seller, leading to a fifth-place finish on the overall sales charts.
Deliveries of the SUV increased by 13.8 per cent or 3350 examples last year to 27,613 units, only just ahead of the 3154 extra ASXs delivered – however the affordable small SUV experienced growth of 34.3 per cent, bringing its tally to 12,330 units.
The Eclipse Cross and Pajero Sport also had increased deliveries to the tune of more than 1000, despite both being ageing models.
BYD – Up 8020 deliveries (64.5 per cent) to 20,458
BYD may have ended the year in 17th place overall, but it improved by five spots compared to 2023, with a broader model lineup driving an increase of 8020 deliveries.
After launching in mid-2022 with the Atto 3 and following about a year later with the Dolphin, BYD’s recent success can be attributed to the newly launched Seal (arrived November 2023) and the Sealion 6 (first deliveries July 2024).
In the case of the Seal, it hasn’t been able to match the Model 3 for sales dominance among electric sedans, but it finished the year a respectable third in its segment, behind the aforementioned Tesla and the Toyota Camry.
The Sealion 6 launched mid-year as BYD’s first non-electric vehicle (EV) in Australia, though it’s understood to have been the best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) in Australia, and finished the year fewer than 200 deliveries behind the Seal.
BYD also has reason to be optimistic about its 2025 prospects, with the Shark 6 PHEV ute soon arriving in driveways, while the Sealion 7 electric SUV is also soon due to launch.
Chery – Up 6713 deliveries (114 per cent) to 12,603
After relaunching in Australia with the Omoda 5 in April 2024, Chery has expanded its model lineup to four vehicles, driving the brand’s rise with the largest sales volume increase in 2024.
This can be attributed to a small increase for the Omoda 5, while deliveries of the Tiggo 7 Pro began in earnest last year. It was also boosted by the 2024 arrival of the Tiggo 4 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro.
It’s expected that Chery will continue to rise up the sales charts as it continues to deliver its affordable models, while a PHEV version of the Tiggo 7 Pro is also expected to arrive this year.
MORE: VFACTS 2024: New vehicle sales hit record high, but slump expected soon
