Top 10 most popular vehicles in Australia, March 2016

The Hyundai i30 has threatened to enter the battle to be Australia’s favourite car of 2016 after topping the sales charts in March.

Hyundai’s hatchback recorded 4198 units last month, according to the latest official industry figures, to move it up to fourth place overall with 8511 sales after the first quarter of 2016.

Mazda 3 sales slipped nearly eight per cent year on year, though 3145 units in March ensures the small car’s 10,221 total stays ahead of the Toyota Corolla (9825) and Toyota HiLux (9499).

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Passenger car sales continue to decline despite the popularity of the i30, 3 and Corolla (pictured above), with Australians continuing to flock to SUVs.

SUVs have increased their share of the total vehicle market from 34.3 to 38 per cent compared to this time last year. In the same period, passenger cars account for 41.5 per cent – down 4.9 per cent.

In terms of sales numbers, the gap between passenger cars and SUVs is just 10,055 units after the first quarter. That figure was 33,538 at the end of March 2015.

No individual SUV looks set to contest the race for best-seller status despite the incredible overall popularity of the high-riding-wagon body style.

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Australia’s best-selling SUV, the Mazda CX-5, has sold 6158 to date in 2016.

It’s outsold so far by two utes – the Toyota HiLux (9499) and Ford Ranger (8033).

March year on year sales for the Australian market are down 0.5 per cent, though year to date sales have increased 2.8 per cent.

Top 10 Most Popular Vehicles – March 2016

Battle for the 2016 No.1 Sales Spot – to March