VFACTs August 2025: Ranger retakes 4x4 lead as Chinese brands surge into the top ten

The Ford Ranger has reclaimed the top spot in Australia’s 4×4 sales race, outselling the Toyota HiLux in August by 4730 sales to 3958.

It capped off a strong month for Ford, with the Everest also taking honours as the best-performing 4×4 wagon. The Everest posted 2203 sales, outselling the Toyota Prado (2033) and finishing behind only the Ranger and HiLux on the 4×4 charts.

At the top end of the ute market, Chevrolet’s Silverado led the American pickups with 310 sales – including 151 of the heavy-duty HD variant – ahead of the RAM 1500 (221) and the Toyota Tundra, which managed just 74.

Across the broader market, Australians bought 100,539 new vehicles in August, the second-strongest result ever for the month. Chinese brands continued their rapid rise, with BYD, GWM, MG and Chery all breaking into the national top ten for the first time. Integral to that rise, BYD’s Shark recorded 1261 sales for the month, lifting its year-to-date total to 12,918.

“The presence of four Chinese brands in the top ten illustrates the continuing evolution of the automotive landscape in Australia. Consumers have an extraordinary range of vehicles to choose from – more than 400 models, including around 100 EVs,” said Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive, Tony Weber.

Toyota still leads overall with 20,791 deliveries in August, followed by Ford (8002), Kia (7402), Mazda (6814) and Hyundai (6322). SUVs dominated the market with 60,495 sales (60 per cent share), while passenger cars made up just 13.1 per cent and continue to track 25 per cent lower year-to-date than in 2024. The LCV market lifted by 704 sales (+3.1 per cent).

A total of 18,529 4×4 utes were sold in August, up 10.5 per cent on the same month last year. That brings the year-to-date tally to 143,985 sales – an increase of 2.1 per cent. Diesel ute sales dipped slightly (1.4 per cent), while petrol variants fell sharply (26.4 per cent).

The top-selling overall models (4×4 and 4×2) for the month were the Ford Ranger (4942), Toyota HiLux (4823), Toyota RAV4 (4115), MG ZS (2680) and Isuzu D-MAX (2314). Also in the top ten were the Ford Everest (2203), Toyota LandCruiser (2117) and Toyota Prado (2033).