VFACTS: Ranger tops October 4x4 sales as new HiLux looms

Ford’s Ranger once again maintained its grip on the Australian 4×4 market in October, selling 4195 units and holding the top spot for the month – but is that about to be flipped on its head with the launch of the all-new HiLux?

Not that the impending launch of the new-generation model has slowed demand for the outgoing HiLux, with the fan favourite registering a total of 3793 4×4 sales, placing it ahead of the Ford Everest (2435 sales) – which outpaced Toyota’s Prado (1458) and 300 Series (1138) – and Isuzu D-MAX (1462 sales). 

In fact, when combining 4×2 and 4×4 variants the HiLux edged out the Ranger as Australia’s top-selling vehicle for October, with 4444 sales versus 4402. Rounding out the top five were the Toyota RAV4 (4401), Ford Everest (2435) and Toyota LandCruiser (2090), collectively representing nearly 18 per cent of total vehicle sales.

Kia Tasman 4×4 sales were low compared to its immediate competition, with 570 sales registered in October and a total of 2935 since it was launched. Still, it outsold both the Navara (304) and Amarok (295) for the month.

BYD Shark sales remained consistent, with 1070 registered for the month and 15,181 so far this year. Hybrids now account for 17.8 per cent of the market, plug-in hybrids 4.7 per cent, and battery-electric vehicles 7.3 per cent. Compared to October 2024, hybrid sales have grown 25 per cent, PHEVs surged 95 per cent, while BEVs remained steady. Year-to-date, hybrids are up 12 per cent and PHEVs have jumped 137.4 per cent.

“The October results confirm that Australians are increasingly choosing hybrid and PHEV models as a practical path towards lower emissions,” said Tony Weber, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive. “Hybrids are delivering strong growth right across the market, while PHEVs are also gaining momentum. Petrol-only vehicles, on the other hand, continue to lose ground. These shifts underline the pace of change in consumer preferences.”

Across broader segments, passenger vehicle sales fell 21.6 per cent versus October last year, while the SUV segment grew 9.4 per cent. Light commercial vehicles remained largely unchanged, down 0.6 per cent. Within the PU/CC 4×4 category, year-to-date sales reached 179,259 units – up 3.5 per cent on the same period in 2024. Diesel models dominated October LCV sales (18,990), with petrol (1502) and PHEVs (1426) representing smaller shares.

The GWM Cannon led the budget 4×4 segment in October, with 698 sales. The JAC T9 moved 106 units, the LDV Terron sold 157, and the KGM Musso recorded 189 sales.