VFACTS January 2024: 8yr-old ‘dead car’ outsells some brand-new models

The Dodge brand has made a surprising return to the Australian sales chart.

VFACTS new-car sales data released this week reveals six examples of the long-discontinued Dodge Journey were listed as 'sold' in January 2024.

The Mexican-built five-seat family SUV outsold some brand-new models – at least officially – last month, such as the Genesis G70 (four), LDV eT60 electric ute (four), Peugeot 508 (three), Citroën C5 X (two), Jaguar I-Pace (two) and Mercedes-Benz S-Class (two).

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The Citroën brand registered seven brand-new vehicles in Australia in January, just one more than Dodge.

The Dodge Journey was offered in Australia between 2008 and 2016, with the last units sold in 2017. As it was the only vehicle sold by Dodge in Australia at the time, the American brand was placed into ‘hibernation’ by Fiat-Chrysler Australia – now known as Stellantis.

A Stellantis Australia spokesperson said the six Dodge Journeys were used head-office vehicles and have now been on-sold to dealers, likely at a significant discount.

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The 2016 Dodge Journey was priced between $35,000 and $40,000 before on-road costs – equivalent to between $43,150 and $49,300 today when adjusted for inflation.

All variants featured a 3.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V6, a six-speed torque-converter automatic, a 10.4L/100km combined fuel consumption, and front-wheel drive.

While Dodge remains in hibernation for Australia, it continues in North America with sports cars and SUVs on offer.

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The electric Dodge Charger Daytona muscle car, a replacement for the two-door Challenger, will be unveiled on March 5.

The Dodge Journey is the latest long-discontinued car to be listed in VFACTS sales data, with two examples of the Toyota FJ Cruiser axed in 2016 and one Lexus LFA built in 2011 or 2012 registered as ‘sold’ in June 2023.

Seventy Mitsubishi Pajero off-roaders were sold in 2023 after it was discontinued in 2021.