SA new car sales still charging ahead
Electric and hybrid cars made up nearly a quarter of new vehicle sales in South Australia over May in what’s shaping up as another record-breaking year, says the Motor Trade Association.
The MTA said SA new vehicle sales were 13.6 per cent higher in May than the same time last year, with zero and low-emission vehicles making up 23.2 per cent of all new cars sold.
This follows new vehicle sales in the first quarter of 2024 reported as the highest on record, after a record 2023 in which 79,000 new cars sold in SA.
Last month also saw the highest new vehicle sales of any April on record, with a 14.2 per cent increase from the previous April.
The Ford Ranger 4×4 was again the most popular vehicle with 1609 sales, followed by Toyota’s RAV4 with 1527, Toyota Hilux 4×4 on 1358, Mitsubishi’s Outlander on 1007 and Toyota’s Camry with 921.
Electric vehicles made up 7.2 per cent of all new cars sold in the state in May, down from 7.3 per cent from the previous month but a 57.6 per cent increase from May 2023.
Hybrid vehicles made up 14.7 per cent of new car sales in SA, up from 13.9 per cent in April and a 128.9 per cent increase from the same time last year.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles were 1.3 per cent of all new cars sold in the state, the same as the previous month and a 136.9 per cent increase from May 2023.
The MTA said the numbers indicated 2024 would beat 2023’s record breaking sales.
“South Australia’s foot is still on the pedal with more vehicles purchased than ever before,” MTA SA/NT CEO Darrell Jacobs said.
Stay informed, daily
The MTA continued its calls for government subsidies to return for the purchase of electric vehicles ahead of today’s State Budget.
The state government announced in late 2023 that incentives for electric vehicles would be ending ahead of schedule, including a $3000 subsidy for buying a new electric vehicle.
“EV’s enjoyed explosive growth last year, but there are clearly barriers to further adoption,” Jacobs said.
“Affordability remains a top consideration as cost-of-living pressures mount, and buyers are voting with their wallets.”
The MTA is calling for the $3000 subsidy to be reinstated for electric vehicles valued below $68,750, with $2000 incentives to be made available for plug-in hybrids and $1000 for traditional hybrids.
