Toyota was the clear market leader in 2023, in what was a record-breaking year for new vehicle purchases.
Motorists bought 1,216,780 new vehicles last year, which was a 2.3% increase on the previous record, set in 2017, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.
More than one in six of those buyers, or 17.7%, chose a Toyota.
Mazda achieved an 8.2% market share, Ford 7.2%, Kia 6.3% and Hyundai 6.2%.
The other leading brands in 2023 were Mitsubishi (5.2% market share), MG (4.8%), Tesla (3.8%), Subaru (3.8%) and Isuzu Ute (3.7%).
Tesla driving rise in alternative vehicles
Another interesting trend that played out during 2023 was motorists’ growing preference for alternative vehicles.
The market share of battery electric and hybrid vehicles rose from a combined 11.3% in 2022 to 15.3% in 2023, while petrol vehicles declined from 53.3% to 48.4%.
That had a lot to do with Tesla, which failed to crack the top 10 brands list in 2022 but ranked eighth in 2023.
How the brands compare on wait times
Average wait times rose steadily over the first eight months of the year, before plummeting over the final four, according to Price My Car.
The average wait time for a new vehicle started at 118 days in January 2023, peaked at 159 days in August and fell to 63 days in December.
As of December, the average wait time for the top 10 brands mentioned earlier was:
- Toyota = 207 days.
- Mazda = 37 days.
- Ford = 91 days.
- Kia = 53 days.
- Hyundai = 70 days.
- Mitsubishi = 73 days.
- MG = 30 days.
- Tesla = [not available].
- Subaru = 34 days.
- Isuzu Ute = 61 days.
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