Australia’s new vehicle market remained strong in August, according to the latest VFACTS data. Battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales reached their highest monthly level on record while Chinese manufacturers continued to strengthen their position among the top brands and models.
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) reported 100,939 new vehicle sales during August, up 0.4 per cent on the same month last year. Year-to-date sales reached 811,388, broadly in line with the same period in 2025.
Record month for electric vehicles
27,089 BEVs were sold in August according to all reporting sources. This accounts for 24.9 per cent of the entire new vehicle market. This represented a 171 per cent increase compared with August 2025 and was the highest number of BEVs sold in a single month in Australia.
VFacts further reported that plug-in hybrid vehicles accounted for 10.5 per cent of August sales, while conventional hybrids represented a further 18.5 per cent.
Chinese manufacturers take five top-10 spots
Chinese brands also featured prominently among the best-selling models, accounting for five of the top 10, including BYD, GWM, MG, Geely and Chery were also among the top-selling brands last month.
Together, the five brands recorded 26,610 sales during August, representing 26.4 per cent of the VFACTS market.
Kia, Mazda, Hyundai, and Ford completed the top 10 alongside Toyota and the five Chinese brands.
Chinese manufacturers also featured prominently among the best-selling models, supplying five of the top 10 including the BYD Sealion 7, Chery Tiggo 4, Geely EX5, GWM Haval Jolion and Zeekr 7X.
Market undergoing structural shift
FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said the combination of strong BEV demand and changing brand preferences demonstrated the pace of change in Australia’s new vehicle market.
“The sustained level of BEV sales, together changing brand preferences, shows how quickly consumer choice and competition are reshaping Australia’s new-vehicle market,” Mr Weber said.
He said the growth in electric vehicle sales also highlighted the need for charging infrastructure to keep pace with changing consumer demand.
“These changes continue to reinforce the need for infrastructure settings that keep pace with the market. Accessible and dependable charging will remain critical to consumer confidence, particularly on highways, in rural and regional areas and for motorists without access to charging at home,” Mr Weber said.
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