VFACTS October 2018: Hilux and Ranger lead the pack, yet again

WITH only two calendar months remaining until 2019 arrives, Toyota’s Hilux has all but stitched up first place on the 4x4 year-to-date sales charts after outselling the Ford Ranger by 362 units in October.

Not only is it a two-horse race atop the 4x4 charts – and has been all year – the duo have repeatedly led all-comers on the overall monthly sales charts. A feat again achieved in October, with the Hilux 4x4/4x2 (4338 sales) and Ranger 4x4/4x2 (3228) ramping it home ahead of the Toyota Corolla (2917), Hyundai i30 (2508) and Mitsubishi ASX (2138).

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Despite the ongoing success of these two dual-cabs, light commercial vehicle sales fell by 2.3 per cent compared to 2017 – reflecting both the strong year for sales in 2017, and the overall market decline.

National vehicle sales dropped 5.5 per cent compared to September 2017, and this was most evident with a drastic decline in private purchases compared to September last year (-15.8 per cent). Government fleet sales were also down (-2.6 per cent).

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“What we are seeing is a slightly slowing market, after the industry has produced five years of record sales over the past six years,” Tony Weber, the Chief Executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, said.

“After a record 2017, year-to-date sales in 2018 are sitting just 0.9 per cent below last year’s numbers.

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In other 4x4 news LDV enjoyed a stronger month in October by shifting 342 T60 pick-ups; while Mercedes-Benz could only entice 101 customers to purchase a 4x4 X-Class. Perhaps that’ll strengthen with the arrival of the V6-powered version?