VFACTS September 2026: Ford Ranger leads a four-way race at the top
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Australians took delivery of 108,778 new vehicles in September, up 1.8 per cent on the same month last year. Four nameplates finished within 607 units of each other, two utes and two medium SUVs trading places, with the Ford Ranger on top, but only just. Underneath that contest, the growth came from smaller and more affordable vehicles. Â
The combined market added 1,887 deliveries on last September with battery electric vehicles leading the fuel mix for a second month running at 26,287 deliveries and 24.2 per cent share. Petrol sat close behind on 23.9 per cent and diesel on 23.1 per cent. Hybrids grew 20.7 per cent to 17,843 and plug-in hybrids more than doubled to 10,072. Put together, electrified powertrains continued to make up near on half (49.8%) of all new car deliveries, up from 29.4 per cent last September.Â
Looking to buyers and personal buyers grew 3.6 per cent to 51,239 across passenger, SUV and light commercial vehicles. Business deliveries held steady at 39,209 and rental finished flat. Personal passenger car buyers stood out with an 11.5 per cent lift, which also lines up with the growth seen in sedans and small cars.Â
As has been the case throughout 2026, Chinese-built vehicles continue to be the leading source of vehicles sold with 42,358 deliveries, or 38.9 per cent of vehicles sold for the month. Year to date that share sits at 33.9 per cent, up from 20.0 per cent at the same point in 2025.Â
Unsurprisingly, Toyota continues to hold first place with 17,682 deliveries and 16.3 per cent share. Further back, BYD stayed second on 8,191, up 61.1 per cent, and Ford finished third on 7,592. Ford’s September result also reshuffled the annual table. The brand now sits third year to date on 61,104, moving just ahead of Kia on 60,800.Â
Elsewhere in the top ten, Tesla delivered 5,654 vehicles, up 21.3 per cent, to finish sixth. Geely held tenth on 4,473 for a second consecutive month, with Chery close behind on 4,205.Â
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Top 10 Brands August 2026
Rank Brand Sep 2026 Share vs Sep 2025Â
| Rank | Brand | Sep 2026 | Share | vs Sep 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota | 17,682 | 16.3% | -3.5% |
| 2 | BYD | 8,191 | 7.5% | +61.1% |
| 3 | Ford | 7,592 | 7.0% | -8.5% |
| 4 | Kia | 5,901 | 5.4% | -19.5% |
| 5 | Mazda | 5,702 | 5.2% | -18.9% |
| 6 | Tesla | 5,654 | 5.2% | +21.3% |
| 7 | GWM | 5,212 | 4.8% | +5.4% |
| 8 | Hyundai | 5,073 | 4.7% | -22.0% |
| 9 | MG | 4,635 | 4.3% | +15.6% |
| 10 | Geely | 4,473 | 4.1% | +870.3% |
The model chart delivered the closest finish of the month. The Ranger took top spot with 5,062 deliveries and a 4.0 per cent lift. The RAV4 followed on 4,624 after an 81.0 per cent jump, then the Model Y on 4,476 and the HiLux on 4,455.Â
Year to date the top three models continues to stay tight. The Ranger leads on 37,858, the HiLux sits on 36,616 and the Model Y on 35,930, we’ll be watching on with interest to see if Tesla can upset its two more established volume rivals.Â
Top 10 Models August 2026
| Rank | Model | Sep 2026 | vs Sep 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Ranger | 5,062 | +4.0% |
| 2 | Toyota RAV4 | 4,624 | +81.0% |
| 3 | Tesla Model Y | 4,476 | +14.0% |
| 4 | Toyota HiLux | 4,455 | -11.7% |
| 5 | BYD Sealion 7 | 2,687 | +42.4% |
| 6 | Chery Tiggo 4 Pro | 2,059 | +0.5% |
| 7 | GWM Haval Jolion | 2,018 | +7.3% |
| 8 | Geely EX5 | 2,008 | +619.7% |
| 9 | Toyota Prado | 2,006 | +6.4% |
| 10 | Isuzu D-Max | 1,866 | -6.2% |
Medium SUVs remain the largest segment by a distance. The more useful stories this month sit elsewhere.Â
Small SUVs grew 8.6 per cent to 18,600, and all of that growth came from models priced under $45,000. That sub-segment lifted 11.0 per cent to 15,273. Five models cleared 1,600 deliveries: the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (2,059), GWM Haval Jolion (2,018), MG ZS (1,805), Omoda Jaecoo J5 (1,754) and Hyundai Kona (1,617). Above $45,000, the Kia EV3 led on 564, up 134.0 per cent, while the Zeekr X added 417.Â
Sedan buyers had a strong month. The Medium Passenger segment grew 33.2 per cent to 2,764, and models under $60,000 lifted 48.5 per cent. The Camry led on 1,066, with the Mazda 6e (389), BYD Seal (327) and BYD Seal 6 (265) following. Those figures sit before the Tesla Model 3 is counted. Add its 1,178 deliveries and medium passenger cars reach 3,942 for the month.Â
People movers are also making a comeback. The segment lifted 7.8 per cent to 1,149, and the premium end moved fastest. People movers above $70,000 grew 71.2 per cent to 262. Newer electrified arrivals including the Xpeng X9 (55), Denza D9 (32) and GAC M8 PHEV (25) sit alongside the Volkswagen ID. Buzz (59). The Kia Carnival still leads the segment overall on 787, up 11.9 per cent.Â
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With four models separated by 607 units, buyers are cross-shopping hard. So the lesson for dealers is to fall back on the fundamentals. Check every listing shows a clear drive-away price, key specs and real photos. Nearly 28,000 hybrids and plug-in hybrids were delivered in September, so make sure your workshop has high-voltage trained technicians and book the first service at handover. Â
* Data sourced from FCAI VFACTS and the EVCouncil
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