Australia’s new-car market is undergoing a significant transformation as electric vehicles gain ground against traditional petrol models. October sales figures show strong demand for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, despite established favourites retaining leading positions.
The Toyota HiLux topped Australia’s vehicle rankings, followed by the Ford Ranger and Toyota RAV4. However, the Tesla Model Y secured fourth place, highlighting the growing appeal of electric SUVs.
Australia recorded 107,493 new vehicle sales during October 2026, representing a 6.8 percent increase compared with October 2025. Meanwhile, petrol sales dropped sharply as buyers increasingly considered electric and hybrid alternatives.
Australia Records 107,493 New Vehicle Sales in October
Australia’s automotive market maintained its growth in October, with total sales reaching 107,493 vehicles. This compares with 100,658 vehicles sold during the same month last year.
SUVs remained the country’s most popular vehicle category, recording 67,355 sales. This represented an 8.1 percent year-on-year increase.
Passenger vehicle sales also experienced significant growth, rising 24.9 percent to 15,454 units. However, light-commercial vehicle sales declined 2.6 percent to 21,469 units.
The latest figures highlight changing consumer preferences, particularly the growing demand for SUVs and electrified vehicles.
Toyota HiLux Leads Australia’s Top-Selling Cars
The Toyota HiLux secured the top position among Australia’s best-selling vehicles in October. It recorded 5,954 sales, comfortably ahead of its closest competitor.
The Ford Ranger followed with 4,841 units, while the Toyota RAV4 secured third place with 4,718 sales.
However, electric vehicles also made a strong impression in the rankings. Tesla’s Model Y reached fourth place with 3,105 sales.
BYD also delivered an impressive performance, placing three models among the top ten. Its Sealion 7, Atto 2 and Shark 6 demonstrated the brand’s growing presence.
Top 10 Best-Selling Vehicles in Australia – October 2026
| Rank | Vehicle Model | Units Sold |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota HiLux | 5,954 |
| 2 | Ford Ranger | 4,841 |
| 3 | Toyota RAV4 | 4,718 |
| 4 | Tesla Model Y | 3,105 |
| 5 | BYD Sealion 7 | 2,524 |
| 6 | Toyota Prado | 2,397 |
| 7 | Chery Tiggo 4 Pro | 2,178 |
| 8 | BYD Atto 2 | 1,943 |
| 9 | BYD Shark 6 | 1,843 |
| 10 | Geely EX5 | 1,789 |
The rankings show how electric and Chinese automotive brands are challenging established manufacturers. Nevertheless, Toyota continues to dominate several major vehicle categories.
SUVs and Utes Continue to Shape Australia’s Car Market
SUVs maintained their position as Australia’s most popular vehicle category, recording 67,355 sales in October. They accounted for approximately 62.7 percent of the adjusted market.
Small SUV sales increased 12.1 percent, while medium SUVs recorded stronger growth of 15 percent.
The Tesla Model Y also strengthened the electric SUV segment with 3,105 sales. However, the Toyota RAV4 remained ahead with 4,718 units.
Meanwhile, the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger continued their strong performance in the ute category.
Australia recorded 16,804 sales of 4×4 pick-ups during October. This figure remained virtually unchanged compared with October 2025.
However, 4×4 pick-up sales declined 12.3 percent on a year-to-date basis. Despite this slowdown, the HiLux and Ranger maintained their leading positions across the broader ute market.
Toyota Leads Brands as BYD Records Massive Growth
Toyota remained Australia’s best-selling automotive brand in October, delivering 20,649 vehicles. This represented a 4.7 percent increase compared with the previous year.
BYD secured second place with 10,025 sales, recording an impressive 153.2 percent annual increase.
Ford followed with 7,310 vehicles, although its sales declined 3.4 percent.
Kia ranked fourth with 5,801 sales, while Mazda completed the top five with 5,730 units. Their sales declined 12.2 percent and 19.7 percent, respectively.
The leading five positions remained unchanged when Tesla and Polestar figures entered the broader market comparison.
Tesla recorded 4,050 sales, while Polestar delivered 118 vehicles. Consequently, Tesla ranked eleventh among automotive brands for October.
Top 10 Automotive Brands in Australia
| Brand | October 2026 Sales |
|---|---|
| Toyota | 20,649 |
| BYD | 10,025 |
| Ford | 7,310 |
| Kia | 5,801 |
| Mazda | 5,730 |
| MG | 4,676 |
| Hyundai | 4,571 |
| GWM | 4,417 |
| Geely | 4,365 |
| Chery | 4,317 |
BYD’s second-place achievement reflects its expanding vehicle lineup and growing customer demand. Its Sealion 7, Atto 2 and Shark 6 all entered October’s top-selling vehicle rankings.
Nevertheless, Toyota maintained a considerable lead, supported by strong HiLux, RAV4 and Prado sales.
Electric Vehicle Sales Surge as Petrol Demand Falls
The biggest development in October’s automotive market involved the rapid growth of electric vehicle sales.
Australia recorded 24,845 battery-electric vehicle sales during the month. This represented 23.1 percent of the adjusted market, compared with just 7.3 percent in October 2025.
Electric vehicle sales increased 237.5 percent year-on-year. Consequently, battery-electric models secured a significantly larger share of Australia’s new-car market.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles also recorded impressive growth, reaching 11,745 sales. Their sales increased 148.6 percent compared with October last year.
Meanwhile, conventional hybrid vehicles recorded 18,434 sales, representing a 3.8 percent increase.
Petrol and diesel vehicles moved in the opposite direction. Petrol sales dropped 35.9 percent to 23,605 units.
Similarly, diesel sales declined 14.7 percent to 25,649 vehicles.
October 2026 Fuel-Type Sales Breakdown
| Vehicle Type | Sales | Year-on-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Electric (EV) | 24,845 | +237.5% |
| Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) | 11,745 | +148.6% |
| Conventional Hybrid | 18,434 | +3.8% |
| Petrol | 23,605 | -35.9% |
| Diesel | 25,649 | -14.7% |
These figures demonstrate how quickly Australian buyers are reconsidering traditional petrol-powered vehicles. Electric and plug-in hybrid options are capturing an increasingly significant market share.
Year-to-Date Electric and Hybrid Sales Show Strong Growth
The longer-term figures further highlight Australia’s changing automotive preferences.
Combined battery-electric vehicle sales reached 205,436 year-to-date. This represented a 145.1 percent increase against the corresponding 2025 comparison.
Plug-in hybrid sales also climbed significantly, reaching 97,023 units. Their year-to-date growth stood at 126.7 percent.
However, petrol sales declined 27.6 percent, while diesel sales fell 16.3 percent.
The October results underline a growing shift towards electrified transportation across Australia. Although Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger continue to dominate traditional vehicle rankings, electric models are gaining considerable ground.
With Tesla and BYD strengthening their positions, Australia’s automotive market is becoming increasingly competitive as petrol demand continues to weaken.
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