As we approach the end of 2024, the battle for the title of Australia's best-selling car is heating up. With just a few weeks left in the year, the top contenders are jostling for position, each hoping to claim the coveted crown.

The Top 5 Contenders

  1. Ford Ranger: 58,100 units sold
    • 4x4 variants account for over 53,700 sales
    • Locally developed by Ford
    • Popular with private and fleet buyers
  2. Toyota RAV4: 53,599 units sold
    • Hybrid-only model
    • Consistent top performer in recent months
    • Benefits from improved supply, hybrid demand, and SUV popularity
  3. Toyota Hilux: 50,166 units sold
    • Long-time dominant force in Australian vehicle sales
    • Current generation showing age against newer rivals
    • New-generation Hilux set to arrive in 2026
  4. Isuzu D-Max: 27,824 units sold
    • Consistent top-five performer
    • Gained momentum after mid-life update earlier this year
  5. Mitsubishi Outlander: 25,622 units sold
    • Instrumental in Mitsubishi's fight for fifth place on the manufacturer's table
    • Comfortable lead over the brand's next best-seller, the Triton pick-up

Industry Challenges and Outlook

Despite the tight race, the Australian automotive industry faces some challenges. According to Tony Weber, chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI):

"The private buyer segment continues to struggle with a decline of 16.6 per cent on November 2023. This follows falls of 14.2 per cent in October, 17.2 per cent in September and 15.9 per cent in August. This is a disturbing trend which illustrates how cost of living pressures are impacting households."

However, the industry remains on track for an all-time sales record in 2024:

Timeframe Vehicles Sold
First 11 months 1,137,712
December 79,160 needed
Full-year Forecast 1,216,780

Full-year forecast based on previous all-time record set in 2023.

The Final Stretch

As the final weeks of 2024 unfold, all eyes will be on these top-selling models to see who will claim the ultimate prize. Will the Ford Ranger hold onto its lead, or will the Toyota RAV4 stage a last-minute upset? One thing is for sure – in this tight race to the finish, every sale counts.

Stay tuned for the final results and see who will be crowned Australia's best-selling car for 2024!

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