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News - VFACTS - Sales 2025VFACTS: Chinese brands power PHEV uptakePHEVs surge 83 per cent in November, influenced by Chinese brands’ market share gain8 Dec 2025 PLUG-IN hybrids emerged as a standout in November’s new-car sales – surging 83.3 per cent year on year – largely down to the increasing influence of Chinese car-makers on electrification uptake in the Australian new-vehicle market.
According to VFACTS data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), Australia recorded 97,037 new-vehicle sales last month – a 2.1 per cent decline on the same month last year.
However, adding Tesla and Polestar sales figures collected by the Electric Vehicle Council lifts the total to 99,906 units, shifting the picture to a modest 0.81 per cent increase compared with November 2024.
PHEV sales reached 4768 units for the month across passenger, SUV and light-commercial segments, with year-to-date figures surging 130.6 per cent to 47,565 units.
Much of this growth has been fuelled by Chinese manufacturers – including BYD with its Shark 6 PHEV ute – which has notched up 16,398 sales since launching in January – and GWM’s Cannon Alpha PHEV.
This has been at the expense of petrol-only vehicles, which continued their downward trajectory, with a 18.1 per cent decline in November and a 9.5 per cent year-to-date decline.
“Petrol’s decline is part of a long-term global market transition,” said FCAI chief executive Tony Weber.
“We are seeing strong interest in hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and this trend will only accelerate as more models arrive.
“Plug-in hybrids continue to gain momentum because they give drivers the benefit of electric travel for daily use while removing range concerns.
“Consumers are looking for flexible, low-emission choices and brands are meeting that demand.”
The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro ascended to fourth place on the monthly sales charts with 2287 deliveries in November, contributing to a YTD tally of 18,151 sales.
Chinese brands collectively accounted for about 18 per cent of the November market, bolstered by seven new entrants in 2025, including Geely (808 sales), Zeekr (727), Omoda Jaecoo (515), JAC (101), Foton (95), Leapmotor (90) and Deepal (83).
Established Chinese players GWM, BYD and Chery all posted strong gains while MG – facing increased competition from compatriot brands – fell 47.3 per cent to 2672 units.
Combining VFACTS data with Electric Vehicle Council figures for Tesla and Polestar, battery electric vehicles accounted for 9.1 per cent of November sales.
BEVs represent 8.2 per cent of the market YTD compared with 7.4 per cent for the same period in 2024 despite a significant drop in Tesla sales from 34,754 units this time last year to 26,271.
“We encourage governments to continue to invest in recharging infrastructure to support growth in consumer confidence in this new technology,” Mr Weber said.
Passenger cars experienced another significant contraction, dropping 15.7 per cent for the month and 23.2 per cent year to date to represent just 11.8 per cent of November sales.
SUVs continue to dominate, growing 5.4 per cent over the year to command 60.5 per cent of the market.
Toyota retained the market lead with 19,787 sales during November for a 20.4 per cent share, followed by Ford (7407), Mazda (6979), Hyundai (6707) and Kia (6510).
The Toyota RAV4 topped the model charts with 6390 sales, followed by the Ford Ranger (4673), Toyota HiLux (3418) and Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (2287).
Tesla’s Model claimed fifth place with 2269 units according to Electric Vehicle Council data, ahead of the Isuzu D-Max (2119).
On a state by state basis, VFACTS figures show sales in the Australian Capital Territory were down 2.3 per cent on November 2024 to 1302; New South Wales was down 1.4 per cent (30,062); Northern Territory was down 7.8 per cent (670); Queensland fell 3.5 per cent (20,572); South Australia fell 7.5 per cent (6096); Victoria was down 2.7 per cent (25,995)
Sales in Tasmania increased 14.7 per cent (1883) and Western Australia rose 1.9 per cent (10,457).
Top 10 vehicle sales by make (November 2025)*:
Top 10 vehicle sales by model (November 2025)*:
State-by-state sales (November 2025)*:
*Sales data supplied courtesy of the FCAI.
^Sales data supplied courtesy of the Electric Vehicle Council  Read more6th of November 2025  VFACTS: October sales remain steadyChinese and hybrid vehicle sales grow in October, market just passes 100K sales mark3rd of October 2025  VFACTS: Sales solidify in SeptemberThe new car market grows 5.1pc across September, with a total of 101,992 units sold |
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