Chinese carmakers plant feet in Australia with four in top-10 brand for the first time: August 2025 new car sales

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The health of the Australian new-car market looks solid from the outside, with this being August the second best on record, combining the Federal Chamber of Automobile Industry’s (FCAI) VFACTS and EVCouncil’s monthly sales results.

Last month, 103,922 new vehicles were registered with Toyota the best-selling brand once again securing 20,791 sales.

Chinese brands made a bold showing in August, with four names in the monthly top 10 including BYD, GWM, MG and Chery. There were 23,225 Chinese-made vehicles registered last month.

“The presence of four Chinese brands in the top ten illustrates the continuing evolution of the automotive landscape in Australia. Consumers have an extraordinary range of vehicles to choose from – more than 400 models, including around 100 EVs,” said FCAI chief executive Tony Weber.

Petrol vehicles made up the majority of sales in August (38,315) followed closely by diesel (30,459). Electrified powertrains were led by hybrids (17,381), then battery electric vehicles (10,231) and plug-in hybrids (3906).

Weber used evidence of EV and PHEV sales growth to support the FCAI’s road user charge as a supplement to fuel excise.

Notably, SUVs continued to grow, along with 4×4 utes as passenger car sales declined.

Best-selling car brands in 2025

To no one’s surprise, Toyota is Australia’s best-selling new car this year, but what is changing are the brands behind. 

Mazda and Ford are neck-and-neck, with just 627 units separating them year-to-date after a slow month for the Japanese marque. 

Kia is yet to feel the full force of the Tasman’s success, with 1693 so-far this year heavily skewed to up-spec 4×4 variants, and remains in fourth place year-to-date followed by a strong showing from cousin brand Hyundai. 

Mitsubishi is sixth for the year, tailed by two Chinese carmakers. GWM is showing consistent growth while BYD is charging hard in 2025, up 146.7 percent year-to-date. 

Isuzu and MG round out the top-10 year-to-date, though Chery managed to displace Isuzu for the month of August (3305 versus 3223) and register its first top-10 result. 

Make / Model	YTD 2025	Difference
Toyota	163,491	-0.90%
Mazda	63,208	-1.10%
Ford	62,581	-4.90%
Kia	55,554	0.005
Hyundai	51,957	0.084
Mitsubishi	42,913	-15.40%
GWM	34,398	0.204
BYD	32,839	1.467
Isuzu Ute	29,092	-13%
MG	28,609	-14%

Best-selling vehicles in August

Despite 9.0 percent fewer sales compared to August 2024, the Ford Ranger managed to stay on top of the Toyota Hilux… just. 

Ford’s ute managed 4942 deliveries while the evergreen Hilux’s 4823 figure was only just behind. Rubbing salt in the wound was the Toyota RAV4 medium SUV’s 4115 sales, securing it third place. 

A huge result for the new MG ZS, with 2680 sales last month putting it up 70.1 percent, though we suspect there’s more to that story. In fifth was the Isuzu D-Max (2314), followed by the Ford Everest (2203). 

It’s been nearly a year since the 250 Series Toyota Prado launched, and that’s reflected in sales figures up a ridiculous 67666.6 percent, from six to 2033. 

The quietly achieving Hyundai Kona ended up in eighth spot ahead of the Toyota Corolla and Chery Tiggo 4 small SUV.

Make / Model	August 2025	difference
Ford Ranger	4,942	-9.00%
Toyota Hilux	4,823	7.30%
Toyota RAV4	4,115	-38.70%
MG ZS	2,680	70.10%
Isuzu D-Max	2,314	-9.20%
Ford Everest	2,203	-3.10%
Toyota Prado	2,033	67666.70%
Hyundai Kona	1,983	18.50%
Toyota Corolla	1,823	-2%
Chery Tiggo 4	1,780	NA