Electric surge helps drive June sales spike

Battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles helped power a sharp rise in new vehicle sales during June, with the industry pointing to the Government’s recently announced Investment Boost as a likely catalyst for renewed buyer confidence.

A total of 11,862 new vehicles were registered in June, making it the second-strongest month of 2025 and marking a 26% increase on the same month last year. The figure also outpaced May’s total of 10,251 registrations.

According to the Motor Industry Association (MIA), which collates official registration figures, June’s result was bolstered by business, rental and private buyers across the board. Association chief executive Aimee Wiley says government signals are likely playing a role.

“The June quarter ANZ Business Investment Survey showed central government policy as a key driver for firms planning to invest, and this likely refers to the Investment Boost announced in the May Budget,” she says.

“And a MYOB survey of more than 500 small and medium-sized businesses in May put passenger vehicles including cars, vans and utes at the top of the list of new assets to purchase. Further analysis of the June numbers shows the lift has come from rental, business and private buyers alike.”

Electric and hybrid vehicles gaining momentum

Battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales surged to 1,073 units in June — their best result since the end of the Clean Car Discount in December 2023. Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales also climbed sharply to 912 units, well up from just 228 in the same month last year.

In the light passenger segment, BEVs accounted for 12.4% of sales, with Tesla’s Model Y leading the charge at 407 registrations. Other top-performing BEVs included the BYD Atto 3 (110 units), BYD Sealion 7 (83), Tesla Model 3 (50), and BYD Dolphin (37).

PHEVs also posted a strong result in June, with the BYD Sealion 6 taking top spot with 172 sales. Other notable performers included the GWM Haval H6 (52), Jaecoo J7 (47), Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (29), and Ford Escape (23).

Wiley says the results show positive early signs of stabilisation in the new vehicle market: “These figures indicate early signs of the ‘green shoots’ we’ve all been looking for to prove the potential for early stages of market recovery.”

Broader industry gains

Hybrid vehicles notched up 3,152 sales in June, while internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles accounted for 6,725 sales — still more than half the market, but a lower share than the 64.8% recorded in June 2024.

In total, light passenger vehicles saw 8,245 registrations — up nearly 36% on June 2024 — while light commercial vehicles recorded their best result in over a year, with 3,204 sales. The Ford Ranger led light commercials with 948 units, followed by the Toyota Hilux (853) and BYD Shark 6 (413).

Despite the broader gains, the heavy commercial sector remains subdued, with 413 units registered — down from 594 in June 2024. This suggests the Government’s investment signals have yet to significantly impact the trucking and freight sector.

Compared to June 2022 — a more typical benchmark given the Clean Car Discount surge in 2023 — this year’s June total was only 1.6% lower, indicating momentum is building across several categories, particularly among lower-emission vehicles.