Latest news with #FederalChamberofAutomotiveIndustries
Sydney Morning Herald
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘We're just not getting the uptake': Electric vehicle sales drive off a cliff
Australians' uptake of electric cars has plummeted despite more than 100 models now on the market, as worries about the cost of living and a lack of charging points hit sales. The number of fully electric passenger vehicles sold fell 64 per cent in the first half of this year compared to the six months to July last year, down from 68,136 in 2024 to 54,531 this year. Fully electric sports-utility-vehicle sales dropped 16 per cent during the same period, from 40,468 vehicles in 2024 to 33,887 in the first half of this year, according to sales figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Electric Vehicle Council. However, sales of hybrid vehicles continue to grow, indicating that vehicles that save drivers on fuel costs, while producing fewer emissions, are popular with motorists. Plug-in hybrid sports-utility-vehicle sales boomed in the first half of this year to 14,386, up 83 per cent compared to the first six months of 2024. Traditional hybrid SUVs grew 27 per cent in the same time. Loading Slow EV sales do not bode well for the federal government's emissions reduction goals. It also confounds the government's generous scheme to boost EV sales with a waiver on fringe benefits tax, which can discount a vehicle's sticker price by up to $30,000 when combined with an employer's novated lease arrangement. EVs comprised about 7.7 per cent of total vehicle sales in the first half of this year, compared with 8.0 per cent in 2024 and 7.4 per cent in 2023. Clean cars are expected to deliver a big chunk of the pollution cuts needed to reach the federal government's commitment to net zero emissions by 2030.
The Age
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Age
‘We're just not getting the uptake': Electric vehicle sales drive off a cliff
Australians' uptake of electric cars has plummeted despite more than 100 models now on the market, as worries about the cost of living and a lack of charging points hit sales. The number of fully electric passenger vehicles sold fell 64 per cent in the first half of this year compared to the six months to July last year, down from 68,136 in 2024 to 54,531 this year. Fully electric sports-utility-vehicle sales dropped 16 per cent during the same period, from 40,468 vehicles in 2024 to 33,887 in the first half of this year, according to sales figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Electric Vehicle Council. However, sales of hybrid vehicles continue to grow, indicating that vehicles that save drivers on fuel costs, while producing fewer emissions, are popular with motorists. Plug-in hybrid sports-utility-vehicle sales boomed in the first half of this year to 14,386, up 83 per cent compared to the first six months of 2024. Traditional hybrid SUVs grew 27 per cent in the same time. Loading Slow EV sales do not bode well for the federal government's emissions reduction goals. It also confounds the government's generous scheme to boost EV sales with a waiver on fringe benefits tax, which can discount a vehicle's sticker price by up to $30,000 when combined with an employer's novated lease arrangement. EVs comprised about 7.7 per cent of total vehicle sales in the first half of this year, compared with 8.0 per cent in 2024 and 7.4 per cent in 2023. Clean cars are expected to deliver a big chunk of the pollution cuts needed to reach the federal government's commitment to net zero emissions by 2030.
Perth Now
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Utes dominate vehicles sales and push BYD past Tesla
Dual-cab utes are driving Australia's automotive market, representing the top four best-selling vehicles in the nation and one in every four new models sold. But the popularity of one hybrid ute has also pushed low-emission vehicle brand BYD up the charts during June, helping it surpass long-time rival Tesla by a significant margin. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries revealed the trends in sales figures on Thursday, which showed motorists purchased more than 120,000 vehicles to recover from a sales slump earlier in 2025. Electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles also continued to climb in popularity during the month, although sales of passenger cars, such as sedans and hatchbacks, fell again. While regularly ranking highly among Australia's bestsellers, utes claimed all four top places in June, with the Ford Ranger in pole position with more than 6200 sales. The Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max and BYD Shark 6 utes filled the other top spots, which chamber chief executive Tony Weber said highlighted the enduring popularity of the workhorse vehicles. "In a market of more than 400 models, the top four utes made up 15.2 per cent of all sales during June," he said. "Australia remains one of the most open and competitive markets in the world, where consumers have a wide range of choice across all market segments." The figures also revealed a spike in popularity for BYD's Shark 6 plug-in hybrid electric ute, which was snapped up by almost 3000 motorists, representing more than double its sales in May. The boost lifted BYD to become Australia's fifth best-selling vehicle brand during June, surpassing long-time electric rival Tesla that ranked in tenth place. Electric vehicle sales also accelerated during June as motorists purchased more than 13,000 battery-powered cars, representing more than 10 per cent of all new vehicle sales. Figures from the Electric Vehicle Council showed sales of Tesla's Model Y improved compared to June 2024, although sales for the US car maker remained 38 per cent lower than last year. Hybrid vehicles continued their streak during June, with the number of plug-in hybrid electric car sales doubling during the month despite the removal of a fringe-benefits tax exemption in April. Hybrids also outsold electric cars during June, although the gap between the two vehicle types narrowed to a little over 3900 vehicles. Australians' appreciation for large vehicles also shone through in the chamber's figures, with SUV sales up by 9.4 per cent to represent 58 per cent of all sales, while light commercial vehicles such as utes made up 25 per cent. Passenger vehicles continued to fall in popularity with buyers, making up just over 15,000 sales or 12.3 per cent of all car sales.
Canberra Times
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Canberra Times
Tesla posts best Australian sales in 12 months
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) is responsible for the Australian auto industry's monthly VFACTS sales report. June sales results are set to be published tomorrow, when we'll be able to see how close rival brands like BYD have gotten to Tesla.
Herald Sun
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Herald Sun
Huge change coming to Aussie car market in 2025
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australia's car market is undergoing one of its biggest shake-ups in decades, with some experts calling it the most dramatic shift in automotive history. From surging Chinese car brands and a cooling electric vehicle market to aggressive discounting and oversupply, the car industry is in for a bumpy ride. Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data shows 1,237,287 new cars were delivered in 2024, a 1.7 per cent increase on the previous year. But that growth is not expected to continue. Cox Automotive Australia corporate affairs manager and analyst Mike Costello said flagging sales should improve in the second half of the year. 'Rate cuts from the RBA will help turn this around in H2, as will an uplift in government fleet post Federal Election,' Mr Costello said. While the first half of 2024 was strong, the closing months revealed a slowdown as manufacturers cleared Covid-era backlogs and Australian buyers felt the economic pressure, from inflation and rising interest rates. Now, in the lead-up to June 30, brands are rolling out aggressive discounts and generous drive-away deals. The discounting we're seeing isn't just due to softening demand but is being driven by improved vehicle supply, global overproduction and intensifying competition. The Hyundai Santa Fe is a smart pick for a family-oriented SUV thanks to its three rows of seating and ample room for people and cargo. Picture: Hyundai Motor America via AP During the Covid-19 pandemic, stock shortages meant car dealers could sell vehicles with little or no negotiation but those days are defiantly over. Mr Costello said the industry is at a real 'turning point'. 'We've moved from a seller's market in Covid to a buyer's market now – more in line with historical norm, there's been an improvement in vehicle supply, which has led to the return of incentives and discounting,' he said. Global factories are also playing a role with Chinese automakers facing oversupply in their home market and tightening trade restrictions in Europe and the Unites States. BYD has built it's own carrier vessels to transport EVs globally. Picture: AFP Australia has become a viable market for Chinese car manufacturers which has lead to aggressive local pricing, especially from brands such as BYD, Chery and GWM. data services Director Ross Booth said much of the automotive growth is coming from electric and electrified vehicles. 'We're seeing a clear shift towards more fuel-efficient vehicles, with strong growth in New Energy Vehicles – which include hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery electric vehicles,' Mr Booth said. Hybrid and electric vehicle sales made up just 8 per cent of new cars in 2021, jumping to 25 per cent by the end of 2025. 'Looking ahead, we're predicting NEVs to account for up to 35 per cent of the new vehicle market by the end of 2025, driven largely by increased demand for hybrids and PHEVs,' Mr Booth said. Conventional hybrids like the Toyota RAV4 seem to be a sweet spot for buyers. Picture: AFP Conventional hybrids seem to be the sweet spot for buyers not ready to take the full EV jump. In 2024, more than 172,000 hybrid vehicles were sold in Australia, a 76 per cent year-on-year increase, according to Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) data. EV uptake is slowing down despite new models reaching showrooms each month. The biggest shake-up for the industry comes from China. New brands such as BYD, Xpeng, Zeekr and Chery appeal to cost-conscious buyers. BYD sales are up 103 per cent this year, Chery is up 234 per cent and GWM is up 14 per cent. Despite the growth, Mr Costello said some buyers still have reservations. 'It's clear that while a subset of buyers still have reservations, perhaps in part because of their broader opinions on the Chinese State, an ever-growing cohort are opting for more affordable Chinese cars, swayed by their long warranties, cutting-edge tech, and modern designs,' Mr Costello said. 'People are also learning that these vehicles are often no less reliable or capable than other products.' Originally published as Huge change coming to Aussie car market in 2025
