VFACTS November 2021: Month's new-car sales weakest result since global financial crisis

The global semiconductor shortage continues to hinder Australian sales, as the local market posted its worst November result since the global financial crisis-afflicted 2008.

November registrations reached 80,639 according to official industry figures, down on the 95,205 units sold in the same month last year despite Australia starting to reopen after nationwide pandemic lockdowns.

Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia were the most affected states, each experiencing a 20 per cent decline on November 2020 sales.

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New South Wales registrations dropped by nine per cent, while the Australian Capital Territory had the smallest decrease (down three per cent).

“Demand across the sector remains strong with the drop in sales reflecting well-recognised international supply chain issues,” said Tony Weber, chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

“This includes constraints around microprocessor supplies as well as the ongoing impact of the pandemic restricting factories.

“Carmakers are competing with many other sectors, such as white-goods manufacturers, for microprocessors across the globe. Some new vehicles sold in the Australian market can require up to 3000 of these parts, so this shortage is definitely being felt by the industry.”

SUVs again accounted for about half of sales, with light commercial vehicles taking a 25 per cent share.

Most vehicle segments decreased compared with November 2020, including last month’s five most popular categories.

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4x4 utes was the number one segment, with 14,273 units followed by medium SUVs (13,967 units), small SUVs (11,064), large SUVs (10,191) and small cars (7617).

Four segments posted year-on-year growth, with micro cars (up 137 per cent) leading people-movers (up 62 per cent), 4x2 utes (up 14 per cent), and light SUVs (up six per cent).

The Ford Ranger was the most popular vehicle for the third consecutive month, pipping the arch-rival Toyota HiLux by 201 units.

Toyota maintained its dominant number one status even though sales plummeted by a third compared with November 2020.

Despite the supply issues, the Australian new-car market is set to return to one-million-plus annual sales after 2020’s pandemic-induced blip. Year-to-date sales stand at 971,429 with one month remaining. December is traditionally a strong sales month owing to end-of-year offers.

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Top 10 models

The Ford Ranger seems to be giving everything it has got to displace the Toyota HiLux as Australia’s favourite vehicle, with the locally developed ute reeling off a hat-trick of monthly victories across September, October and November.

November’s margin was only 201 units, however, and the HiLux’s year-to-date lead of almost 3000 units looks insurmountable with just one month of 2021 left.

Ranger prospects are also caught between the temptation of strong run-out deals and the all-new model revealed in November ahead of its 2022 release.

There were two ute surprises in November.

Nissan’s Navara, helped by a 44 per cent month-on-month increase, was the sixth best-selling model – only the fourth time a Nissan has landed in the top 10 this year. Each previous occasion involved the X-Trail SUV (Jan, Mar and Oct).

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And for the first time in 2021, the Isuzu D-Max failed to make a monthly top 10 – hurt by a 41 per cent drop for its 4x4 variant.

The Hyundai i30 small car achieved its best position of the year so far, claiming third spot in November just ahead of another permanent top 10 resident and rival, the Toyota Corolla.

Mitsubishi’s new-generation Outlander SUV has made a positive start, placing seventh in November. It’s only the third top 10 for the nameplate this year. The Japanese brand’s long-running ASX compact SUV continues to defy its age, appearing in the list for a fifth month.

MG’s compact SUV, the ZS, managed its third visit with an increase of nearly 40 per cent on November 2020, matching its ninth place also achieved in August.

After being a slightly conspicuous absentee from the best-sellers list for most of the year, the Hyundai Tucson mid-size SUV scored its second-consecutive placing in the chart despite a month-on-month decline of 23 per cent.

Toyota’s Kluger seven-seater SUV just missed out on a spot, with a remarkable 209 per cent increase in sales compared with November 2020 taking it to 1466 units.

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Top 10 models: November 2021

Top 10 models: 2021 year to date

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Top 10 brands

Toyota sales shrank by more than a third compared with November 2020 yet were comfortably ahead of its nearest rival.

That has traditionally been Mazda, but the Japanese brand suffered a 42 per cent month-on-month decline to slip to fifth place.

For the second consecutive month, Hyundai occupied second place in the top 10 manufacturers’ list.

Ford, again almost purely on the strength of Ranger and Everest sales, secured the last place on the podium – its fifth third place of 2021.

Mitsubishi was one of the rare top 10 regulars to post some growth, albeit just four per cent.

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November’s standout brand was MG, which scored its highest placing of 2021 so far. Seventh place came courtesy of an 85 per cent increase in sales compared with this time last year.

Toyota has now surpassed 200,000 sales for the year, while Mazda’s second place in the annual sales race is easily secure.

The battle for third place is still open, however, with Hyundai leading Ford by less than 1200 units.

Kia and Mitsubishi aren’t too far behind, and there’s also a tight battle between Nissan and Volkswagen for seventh.

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Top 10 brands: November 2021

Top 10 brands: 2021 year to date

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In charts

November 2021 - Top 10 models

November 2021 - YTD sales top 10

November 2021 - Overall segment sales

November 2021-2020 category sales

November 2021-2020 YTD category sales

2021 YTD model sales race