China overtook South Korea to become Australia’s third-largest source of new cars in the first two months of 2023, but there’s still a long way to go before the year is out.
Year-to-date delivery data shows Australians have owned 26,111 new Chinese-made cars this year, compared with 24,852 cars made in Korea.
China-made car sales growth this year is 106.9 percent year-on-year (YoY), compared with 6.2 percent growth for imports from South Korea.
The rankings mean that China now ranks third in new vehicle supplies, behind Thailand (38,998 year-to-date, on par with last year) and Japan (48,343, down 17.6%). The latter company in particular has been affected by supply chain issues, primarily for Toyota.
These numbers include sales of many fast-growing Chinese brands including MG, LDV, GWM/Haval and BYD. But it also includes vehicles made in China by brands based elsewhere such as the Tesla Model 3/Y, Polestar 2 and Volvo XC40.
It is expected that the number of Chinese-made cars will spike this year. Not only from expanding existing Chinese brands but also launching new ones like Ora and Tank (both under GWM), Chery and JAC Motor.
Following the top four auto suppliers (all in Asia) are Germany, USA, UK, Mexico, Spain and Hungary.
Source of cars sold in Australia January-February 2023
| Nation | Sales YTD 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 48,343 | -17.6% |
| Thailand | 38,998 | 0.0% |
| China | 26,111 | 106.9 % |
| Korea | 24.852 | 6.2% |
| Germany | 6041 | 27.6% |
| USA | 5461 | 25.1% |
| England | 2340 | 89.6% |
| Mexico | 2164 | 3.2% |
| Spain | 2160 | 39.9% |
| Hungary | 1646 | 80.7% |
Source cars sold in Australia in 2022 for context
| Nation | Sales 2022 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 330,061 | -5.9% |
| Thailand | 245.608 | 6.5% |
| Korea | 159.244 | 9.8% |
| China | 122,845 | 61.1% |
| Germany | 41,931 | -2.8% |
| USA | 37,947 | 8.6% |
| Mexico | 14.293 | -15.0% |
| Spain | 12,191 | 8.0% |
| Hungary | 11,371 | -8.8% |
| South Africa | 8,699 | -23.7% |
