The 4X4 sales results for September 2020 are in and there are some positive signs in the numbers.
While new vehicle sales continue to struggle in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are some bright spots on the horizon with a marked upturn in September 2020 4X4 sales compared with the previous month.
According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) VFACTS service, the best-selling 4X4 for the month was once again the Ford Ranger, which recorded 3454 sales for the month, up 736 sales on the previous month.
The new Toyota HiLux also performed strongly with 2790 sales in September 2020 compared with 936 sales in August when the previous model was in run-out mode. While Mitsubishi Triton remained consistent with 1234 sales in September, other 4X4s to record increased sales compared to the previous month were Nissan Navara, Isuzu D-MAX, LDV T-60, Ram 1500, Toyota LandCruiser and Prado, and Ford Everest.
With 990 sales in September 2020, the LandCruiser 200 actually displaced the Prado as the best-selling 4X4 wagon for the month.
Reflecting on September 2020 promising new vehicle sales, Tony Weber, chief executive of the FCAI said, “First of all, we are seeing COVID-19 health restrictions across Australia, and particularly in metropolitan Melbourne, continue to ease.
“Another sign that the market may improve is the announcement by the Federal Government last week of an easing of lending conditions for private buyers and small business in Australia.
“Freeing up restrictions around financial lending will act as a stimulus for Australian industry,” Mr Weber said.
In year-to-date-terms, the Ford Ranger is by far and away the best-selling 4X4 in the country, notching up 26,377 sales in the first nine months of the year, followed by the Toyota HiLux with 23,053 sales. Another 4X4 ute, the Mitsubishi Triton, sits in third spot with 12,148 sales, while the best-selling 4X4 wagon so far this year is the Toyota Prado with 10,725 sales.
Here are the full results: