Toyota’s experience and prescience in the alternative powertrain space continues to pay off with its hybrids, particularly the RAV4 as it continues to smash records.
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries monthly figures show another huge jump in the uptake of hybrid technology, up 45 per cent from last year but a sharp drop off in EVs.
Battery EVs dropped to 3434 new vehicles 50 per cent down on August 2023 but the total new sales of EVs in 2024 remained 1.4 per cent up on 2023.
However, the numbers no longer record the sale of Tesla and Polestar.
The hybrid trend which has dominated the headlines in 2024 continued in August with Toyota’s RAV4 achieving its highest monthly sales in the model’s 30-year history and again topping the new vehicle charts for August.
Ninety-five per cent of the 6,712 new RAV4s sold were hybrids and was the biggest contributor to Toyota’s market- share of 21.9 per cent.
IN April the mid- sized SUV toppled the duel between the Ford Ranger and the HiLux that had dominated the new vehicle sales charts for the past year and has now held the spot three times.
Second highest August
FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber says the total sales for August, the second highest ever were a good result despite August 2024 being down by 10.6 per cent on last year’s August number.
“Consumers continue to embrace low emission vehicles with hybrid sales up 44.9 per cent on August 2023 while sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles are up 119.8 per cent.
“However, in line with the experience in many global markets, sales of battery electric vehicles are disappointing. This is despite the supply of battery electric vehicles increasing significantly with more brands and EV models having entered the Australian market,” he says.
Toyota’s Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley says the results show the enduring appeal of hybrid technology to Australian consumers and having the “Right vehicle, right place, right time.”
“Our strategy is all about offering choice to meet the needs and desire of all Australian customers, leaving no-one behind,” Mr Hanley said.
“This includes our extensive hybrid range headlined by the addition of a new Camry; the space, style and comfort of our SUVs; and the ability to tow heavy loads and get off the beaten track in one of our four-wheel drives.”
Read the full FCAI report here
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