Toyota Hilux tops monthly 4x4 sales charts

THE Toyota Hilux has regained its position atop the monthly sales charts.

According to the latest VFACTS report released today, Toyota sold 2418 Hilux 4x4s in August.

With Ford shifting 2364 Rangers, this means Toyota has extended its lead in year-to-date sales.

It has been a tight tussle between the enduring Hilux and the challenging Ranger this year, but the Hilux may have done enough to remain 2016’s best-selling 4x4.

The ’Lux cracked the 20,000 mark in August, with a year-to-date figure of 20,213. Ford has shifted 226 fewer units, with a year-to-date total of 19,987.

Rounding out the top five on the 4x4 sales charts for August are the Holden Colorado (1503), Toyota LandCruiser wagon (1350) and Toyota Prado (1328).

Overall, the Light Commercial Vehicle market continues to grow. When compared to the same month last year, the LCV market is up by 16.2 per cent (with 2330 more LCVs sold).

“Australians purchased 94,909 new motor vehicles in August 2016, led by strong demand for SUVs and Light Commercials,” FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said. “Demand for SUVs and Light Commercials continues to drive the market, with both these segments increasing sales by over 10 per cent compared to August 2015.”

Passenger cars still dominate the overall market, but there’s an obvious trend toward the larger rigs.

Mr Weber added: “With Light Commercials, the current market share year-to-date is 18.7 per cent compared to 17.4 per cent in 2015.”

Including 4x4 and 4x2 variants, both the Hilux and Ranger reside in the top three in the overall car market, trailing only the Toyota Camry.