Ford Ranger extends its lead on the 4x4 sales charts

THE Ford Ranger has extended its sales lead on the Toyota Hilux in the 4x4 segment, following a record-breaking month for new car sales.

134,171 new vehicles were sold in June, 2017, surpassing the previous monthly record of 128,569 (June, 2016).

VFACTS attributes this sales spike – a 0.2 per cent increase year-to-date on 2016 – to low interest rates, the Government’s instant asset write-off provisions, and to a highly competitive market.

SUVs and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) have driven this growth, with SUV sales up 11.7 per cent and LCV sales up 12.2 per cent when compared to this time last year. Passenger car sales have dropped 5.9 per cent compared to June 2016.

The ever-strengthening 4x4 market was headlined by the strong sales performance across the range, with most brands registering month-to-month increases.

2018 Ford Ranger Raptor captured

The Ford Ranger took a stranglehold on the annual 4x4 sales race, extending its lead on the second-place Hilux to 511 units.

The Ranger’s sales performance is even more impressive when you consider it has had relatively few tweaks since the PX model was launched late 2012. In contrast, an all-new Hilux was only launched two years ago, and this – at least in terms of 4x4 utes, where model lifecycles are considerably longer than wagons – means Toyota may have to work some magic to combat the sales threat from this current Ranger, while also trying to second guess Ford’s plans for the updated Ranger, due late 2018.

The impressive Triton 4x4 continued on its merry way, accruing 2657 sales, while the Holden Colorado and Toyota Prado rounded out the top five.

Isuzu UTE Australia, in particular, had a stellar month, pushing record numbers of both the D-MAX and MU-X (4x4 and 4x2 units) off the showroom floor.

“Both the one-tonne D-MAX ute and seven-seat MU-X SUV achieved individual monthly record sales, with 2388 and 1178 units respectively,” Isuzu UTE Australia said in a statement.

This increase in sales performance – a 44.5 per cent rise (D-MAX) and a 65.4 per cent rise (MU-X) compared to June last year – has been driven by the introduction of a new drivetrain and cosmetic and comfort enhancements.

On the overall market, the Toyota Hilux (4x4 and 4x2) remained the best-selling vehicle, with the Ranger (4x4 and 4x2), Corolla, Tuscon and Mazda3 trailing behind.