The VFACTS figures have revealed Aussies bought 107,493 new cars in October, an increase of 3.8 per cent compared to the same period last year. The Toyota HiLux returned to the top of the monthly sales charts for the first time since October 2025, dethroning the Ford Ranger, and BYD continued its stunning rise. 

Toyota remained the best-selling brand for the month with 20,649 vehicles sold, ahead of BYD in second spot, Ford in third and Kia in fourth. Notably, Tesla dropped out of the top 10 sales leaders for the month, and the 107,493 total sales result is the country’s best for any October on record.  

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The HiLux (pictured below) is once again Australia’s favourite car with 5954 units moved, helping Toyota increase its monthly sales from its September result of 17,682. It’s followed by the Ford Ranger (4841, pictured below), RAV4 (4718), Tesla’s Model Y (3105) and BYD Sealion 7 (2524).

When Toyota’s workhorse last topped the monthly VFACTS new-car sales chart a year ago, it recorded 4444 sales, narrowly beating out the Ranger on 4402 and RAV4 on 4401, with just 43 vehicles separating the top three.  The result for the HiLux also played a role in making diesels the most popular type of new vehicle for the month, beating EVs into second spot.

The October result was BYD’s second-best on record, and it had three vehicles in the top 10 for the month: the Sealion 7 (fifth), Atto 2 (eighth) and Shark 6 (ninth). BYD has sold a total of 86,639 vehicles so far in 2026, which is more than double where it was at the same stage last year.

MG had a very good month, its 4676 sales taking it to sixth spot in the manufacturers standings for the month, a significant improvement on September, when it was ranked eighth. GWM fell two spots to eighth compared to its September result. 

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The switch to electrified vehicles continues to gather pace, with sales of petrol vehicles down 35.9 per cent compared to last October, and diesel sales falling by 14.7 per cent over the same period. Battery-electric cars were responsible for 23.1 per cent of all sales, nearly three times the share they had at this time last year on 7.3 per cent. Aussies bought a total of 24,845 BEVs for the month, along with 18,434 hybrids and 11,745 plug-in hybrids.

When it comes to total sales for 2026 so far, Toyota retains its lead on 173,593, significantly ahead of BYD on 86,369. Compared to October last year, sales rose for the month in all states and territories except South Australia, which recorded a decrease of 0.5 per cent.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries CEO Tony Weber said the continuing shift away from internal combustion proves Aussies are reacting logically to huge cost pressures.

‘Consumers are making rational choices and are attracted to options that reduce their costs. Despite continuing pressure on household budgets and higher borrowing costs in 2026, the October result shows there is extraordinary resilience in new vehicle demand,” said Weber, who also called for “reliable and accessible charging infrastructure” to keep pace with the uptake of electric vehicles.