The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is positioning itself to disrupt the long-standing dominance of utes in Australia’s automotive market, with Toyota Australia projecting that the all-hybrid midsize SUV could ascend to the status of the country’s best-selling vehicle for the first time in 2025.
According to the latest VFACTS sales data released, the RAV4 secured the second spot in 2024, recording 58,718 sales, trailing only behind the Ford Ranger’s 62,593. Notably, the RAV4’s sales surged in the latter half of the year, outpacing the Ford Ranger, known for its robust prowess as a workhorse.
Last year marked a significant shift, as the Ranger dethroned the Toyota HiLux after a seven-year reign as the top-selling vehicle in Australia. Utes dominated the sales landscape, filling three of the top five slots in 2023; the stalwart HiLux retained third place, while the Isuzu D-Max secured fourth.
Despite the current ute supremacy, Toyota Australia remains optimistic about the RAV4’s prospects. Sean Hanley, the company’s vice president for sales, marketing, and franchise operations, confidently asserts that the RAV4 is on track to become the first SUV to capture the title of Australia’s best-selling vehicle, especially with an updated model on the horizon for 2026.
“While utes may maintain their lead for another year, I anticipate a change in the near future,” Hanley stated. “Last year, an SUV emerged as our best-seller for the first time, a significant shift from the HiLux’s nine-year dominance.”
Hanley highlighted the extensive increase in available ute models competing in Australia’s stable market, suggesting that this competition could pave the way for an SUV to rise to the top of sales rankings sooner rather than later. “There’s a chance that SUV could indeed be the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid,” he remarked.
A significant factor behind Hanley’s optimistic outlook is the improved supply chain from Japan, where the RAV4 is manufactured. Delivery wait times have returned to a more manageable three months, a substantial decrease from the four-year delays experienced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re currently observing a three-month wait time for the RAV4, which we consider manageable. There might be a few variants with slightly longer wait times, but overall, we view this as normal,” Hanley explained.
Another essential element of the RAV4’s success stems from its widespread hybrid offerings, which comprised a remarkable 95% of total RAV4 sales last year. This robust hybrid presence helped boost Toyota’s overall hybrid sales mix, inching toward the 50% mark in 2024—a milestone the automaker anticipates surpassing in 2025.
Source:www.carexpert.com.au
