VFACTS: New Car Sales Insights January 2023

Read our monthly update on VFACTS new car sales results.



New Car Sales

  • January 2023 saw a total figure of 84,873 new car sales for Australia as reported by VFACTS.
  • Figures show new car sales were up +12% in January 2023 versus January 2022.
  • Sales between states were largely up with ACT seeing a 19% increase compared to January 2022.
  • Electric vehicle sales continue to skyrocket in January 2023, seeing a cumulative increase of 683% so far this year compared to last – although much of this is down to newly introduced sales of Tesla vehicles.
  • Petrol vehicles sales increased (+8%) in January 2023.






New Car Sales Trends

The top 5 models with the greatest increases so far in 2023 are:

  • Tesla Model 3 (+2,927 units)
  • Mazda CX-3 (+1,512 units)
  • Ford Ranger 4X4 (+1,264 units)
  • Kia Sorento (+870 units)
  • Hyundai Tucson (+840 units)

The bottom 5 models with the greatest decreases so far in 2023 are:

  • Mitsubishi Triton 4X4 (-1,553 units)
  • Toyota Prado (-1,384 units)
  • Mazda CX-5 (-1,024 units)
  • Kia Cerato (-900 units)
  • Toyota Camry (-861 units)

The top segment increases so far in 2023 compared to 2022 are:

  • Medium > $60K (+444%) (driven by newly introduced Tesla sales)
  • Small > $40K (+179%)
  • Light > $30K (+126%)
  • Large < $70K (+65%)
  • SUV Upper Large < $120K (+48%)

Conversely, some of the largest decreases are:

  • Upper Large < $100K (-100%)
  • Light Buses < 20 Seats (-64%)
  • Micro (-55%)
  • Medium < $60K (-51%)
  • Vans/CC <= 2.5t (-47%)

Please note that VFACTS has made some changes to the price groupings as shown in the table below:


VFACTS Grouping 2023VFACTS Grouping 2022
Light < $30KLight < $25K
Light > $30KLight > $25K
People Movers < $70KPeople Movers < $60K
People Movers > $70KPeople Movers > $60K
SUV Small < $45KSUV Small < $40K
SUV Small > $45KSUV Small > $40K
SUV Upper Large < $120KSUV Upper Large < $100K
SUV Upper Large > $120KSUV Upper Large > $100K





Sales by Import Country

  • Sales of imported vehicles from China continue to skyrocket with an increase of 6,222 units compared to 2022
  • Sales of imported vehicles from Thailand have made a strong showing in January 2023 with an increase of 2,534 units compared to 2022
  • Sales of imported vehicles from Japan seeing the largest decrease of 3,990 units compared to 2022
  • Sales of imported European vehicles continue to see declines



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Tanim Ahmed

By Tanim Ahmed, Head of Product at Datium Insights

Tanim is a Macquarie University alumni with degrees in Finance and Economics. He has spent a decade in the Leasing and Finance industry, specializing in Residual Value risk.

Please contact Datium Insights for further analytical support and advisory services.

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