Record-Breaking Car Sales in August 2025: Chinese Automakers Crack the Top 10 List of Leading Brands
Australian Automotive Market Shows Signs of Change in August
The Australian automotive market saw a shift in August, with SUVs continuing to dominate sales but showing signs of evolving trends. According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), a total of 60,495 SUVs were sold, accounting for 60% of the market.
Toyota remained the overall market leader with 20,791 sales, followed by four other brands: Ford, Kia, Mazda, and Hyundai, in that order, with 8,002, 7,402, 6,814, and 6,322 sales respectively.
The market landscape is also becoming increasingly diverse, with four Chinese carmakers - BYD, GWM, MG, and Chery - all ranking in the national top 10 for the first time. This is a significant development, reflecting the growing influence of Chinese brands in the Australian market.
The total number of vehicles sold year-to-date nationally is 812,447, a decline of 2.1% compared to the same period in 2024. The decline was not uniform across all regions, with decreases recorded in the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Tasmania, with percentage decreases of 7.8%, 6.0%, and 3.1% respectively. However, sales rose in the ACT, Victoria, NSW, Queensland, and WA, with percentage increases of 20.7%, 3.8%, 2.4%, 2.8%, and 1.6% respectively.
One of the most notable trends in August was the growth of electrified vehicles. Battery-electric vehicles made up 6.8% of sales, while plug-in hybrids accounted for 3.9%. Passenger car sales, on the other hand, fell to 13.1% in August, with year-to-date figures down 25% compared to last year.
Tony Weber, the chief executive of FCAI, stated that the results reflect the pace of change in the sector. "The automotive landscape in Australia is evolving, with consumers having an extraordinary range of over 400 vehicles to choose from, including around 100 electric vehicles," he said.
Weber also reiterated FCAI's support for a nationally consistent road user charge ahead of this week's Council of Treasurers meeting. He emphasised the need for an enduring revenue stream to support road and recharging infrastructure, as the number of electrified vehicles increases.
However, there is no specific publicly available data for July 2026 on which brands achieved the strongest electric vehicle sales in each Australian state and territory. This is an area where more information is needed to fully understand the changing dynamics of the market.
August 2026 saw a total of 20,070 Chinese-made vehicles sold, a 67% increase compared with the same month in 2024. This increase is a testament to the growing popularity of Chinese brands in the Australian market.
The strong sales in August made it the second strongest August on record, with 100,539 new vehicles purchased, just short of the all-time high set in August 2025.
In conclusion, the Australian automotive market is undergoing significant changes, with SUVs still dominating sales but electrified vehicles gaining ground. The increasing influence of Chinese brands is also worth noting. As the market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these trends develop in the coming months and years.
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