New passenger vehicle sales plunge more than 20pct, still no talk of EVs

The Driven

The fall in new vehicle sales in Australia is now in its 20th month and getting deeper, but still no acknowledgment from the industry about the role that electric vehicle buying intentions may be playing in the industry.

The latest figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) shows that new vehicles sales in Australia fell 9.8 per cent in November, compared to the same month last year.

This is a 20th consecutive monthly fall, and the sales in the year to date also make grim reading for the industry, down 8.2 per cent to 978,628 units.

The biggest impact is on passenger vehicle sales, which fell 21.3 per cent to 23,022 vehicles in November. Light commercial vehicles (utes), which make up the top three selling models, fell 8.8 per cent, while SUV sales were down 1.1 per cent.

“It is a tough market – full stop,” said FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said.

“The industry has been looking for a lift for some time now and has activated multiple levers to achieve some stimulation, including incentives, sales and special vehicle editions. However, the appetite for new vehicles remains suppressed.”

Weber in the past has blamed tight lending practices and the faltering economy.

But again there was no mention of the impact of the EV market, if not in actual sales, but at least the decision by many consumers to put off any new vehicle purchases until an affordable and desirable EV appears – a trend identified in numerous consumer surveys.

To read the full story on RenewEconomy’s electric vehicle dedicated site, The Driven, click here…

Comments

5 responses to “New passenger vehicle sales plunge more than 20pct, still no talk of EVs”

  1. MaxG Avatar
    MaxG

    Of course not: it would accelerate the downfall even faster.

  2. Chris Marshalk Avatar
    Chris Marshalk

    I’m waiting for more EVs to enter the market. Not buying an internal combustion engine ever again. Might buy a Tesla model 3 or wait for model Y

  3. Craig Fryer Avatar
    Craig Fryer

    The fact that SUVs have hardly dropped shows that many people still don’t get it or don’t care.
    Another factor impacting sales will be the lack of significant improvement in vehicles over the last 5 to 8 or even 10 years. Prior to this there was a period of tangible safety improvements with the widespread introduction of curtain airbags throughout most of the range.

    For most existing manufacturers the lack of battery supply is holding up EV manufacturing and supply. Other than Tesla, those that have EVs can’t make enough to meet demand.

  4. Jackhead Avatar
    Jackhead

    Any links to those numerous surveys that specifically identify new car purchasers holding off right now to purchase an EV in the future?

  5. Phil Avatar
    Phil

    I’m playing a game of recycling older premium ICE vehicles

    The savings will be there for me to consume when EV’s are in my price and range point

    The ICE marketing people tell me i’m an anomaly – The “Tail” they say

    Well 20% is one big fat tail !

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