VFACTS April 2021: Ford Ranger tops frenzied sales results

The Australian new-car industry has posted its best April sales result on record, exactly one year after its worst sales figures were recorded for the month.

For only the third time ever, April sales data published by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show the 2021 Ford Ranger toppled the Toyota HiLux to take the number one spot – despite Ford planning to replace the ageing Ranger in early 2022.

Toyota did take out second, third, and fourth spots, with the RAV4, HiLux, and LandCruiser respectively, while the Mitsubishi Triton took fifth. 

Buyers scrambled to get their hands on the last of the LandCruiser 200 Series, with expectations Toyota will officially unveil the 300 Series in the coming months.

Across Australia, a total of 92,437 vehicles were reported as sold by the industry, representing a 12.5 per cent increase over the five-year average – recorded prior to the coronavirus pandemic.

Though April 2021 recorded a 137.2 per cent increase in sales over the same period in 2020, it's worth noting last year's April numbers were down 48.5 per cent compared with April 2019 – the sharpest decline since World War II, due to the pandemic.

This year, April's strong sales result has been attributed to vehicles being delivered that were ordered months ago, in the wake of the easing lockdowns and closed borders, as Aussies made plans to do their holidaying at home with no obvious sign of international travel on the horizon.

However, with a mass shortage of semiconductor computer chips hindering production globally, car makers are scrambling to secure enough stock in the coming months to satisfy ongoing consumer demand.

Some manufacturers are temporarily removing features, options, and safety systems that rely on the semiconductors, while others are reducing production output or shutting down plants entirely. The advice from industry pundits is to join the queue sooner rather than later.

Despite the HiLux losing pole position, Toyota continued to lead sales with 20,208 vehicles delivered in April, followed by Mazda (10,052), Mitsubishi (7513), Ford (7146), and Hyundai rounding out the top five with 5772 deliveries.

Kia followed in sixth place with 5707 cars finding new homes, followed by Nissan (3500), Subaru (3451), Volkswagen (3123), and MG (3007) taking 10th position.