Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol, Mitsubishi Pajero sales continue to surge as Aussies holiday at home
Sales of heavy duty four-wheel-drives have reached new heights amid international travel restrictions in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
The Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol and Mitsubishi Pajero continued their sales surge last month as more Australians plan to holiday at home amid restrictions on international travel.
Despite the age of all three vehicles – launched in 2007, 2010 and 2006 respectively – sales of the three nameplates combined have increased by 69.9 per cent in the first two months of 2021 versus the same period last year.
While overall new-car sales have been in positive territory for four months in a row, the popularity of large off-road 4WDs has outpaced that growth.
Sales of the Patrol more than doubled – up by 107.5 per cent in February 2021 when compared with the same month last year – while the LandCruiser wagon is up 16 per cent.
In raw numbers, the Toyota continues to dominate, with 1326 vehicles reported as sold, compared to the Patrol (332).
Although production of the Mitsubishi Pajero has reached the end of the line, the model has seen a 91.4 per cent increase in sales compared with February 2020, and a 78 per cent increase in the first two months of this year, with 289 vehicles finding owners.
Meanwhile, ute-based 4WDs such as the Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner have posted sales declines, down 7.2 per cent and 8.8 per cent respectively year-to-date. But it was the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport with the most significant decline, dropping by 29.4 per cent year-to-date.
Conversely, sales of the Isuzu MU-X – which is due to be replaced in late 2021 – ripped higher last month, posting a 45.5 per cent increase compared with February 2020, and posting a 35.1 per cent gain year-to-date.
The Toyota Prado continues to dominate its segment, with an 8.6 per cent increase year-to-date, followed by the recently-released, albeit road-focused Kia Sorento.
It's a similar story in the ute market, with buyers rushing to get their hands on a Ram 1500 Express (96 per cent increase year-to-date) and the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series (71.7 per cent increase year-to-date).
But it was the Toyota HiLux that continued to lead utes, posting 3718 sales for February 2021 – a 36.8 per cent increase on the same time last year – followed by the Ford Ranger with 2603 vehicles sold.
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