Australia’s new-car market has started 2026 on a flat note, with February sales slipping compared to last year. But behind the modest slowdown, there’s a historic shift. China has become Australia’s largest source of new vehicles for the first time in a single month.
Despite a 4.5% overall market dip, Toyota maintained its brand leadership, while the Ford Ranger continued its reign as the top-selling model.
Top 10 best-selling models for February 2026
| Model | Feb 2026 sales | Feb 2025 sales (Y-o-Y change) |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Ranger | 4,325 | 4,040 (+7.1%) |
| Toyota HiLux | 3,625 | 3,616 (+0.2%) |
| Tesla Model Y | 2,791 | 924 (+202.1%) |
| Chery Tiggo 4 | 2,315 | 1,068 (+116.8%) |
| Mazda CX-5 | 2,099 | 1,932 (+8.6%) |
| Isuzu D-MAX ute | 2,092 | 2,022 (+3.5%) |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 2,070 | 2,385 (-13.2%) |
| Hyundai Kona | 2,023 | 1,889 (+7.1%) |
| Mitsubishi Triton | 2,017 | 1,420 (+42%) |
| GWM Haval Jolion | 1,804 | 1,306 (+38.1%) |
More: See the 10 best-selling car brands in Australia in February 2026
Key Takeaways
- Utes continue to anchor the market. The Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux retained the top 2 positions.
- The demand for EVs has once again seen a steady increase. The Tesla Model Y posted over 200% year-on-year growth, returning to the podium and signalling stronger momentum for electric SUVs.
- China’s manufacturing footprint is reshaping supply. Vehicles built in China rose sharply and made the country Australia’s largest source of new vehicles for the month. Chinese marques like Chery Tiggo 4 finished fourth overall with triple-digit growth, highlighting the expansion of newer Chinese brands.
- SUVs make up the majority of the top 10. Six SUVs, the Tesla Model Y, Chery Tiggo 4, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Kona and GWM Haval Jolion, made it to the top 10. Sales could grow further in the upcoming months, with the third-generation Mazda CX-5 expected to arrive soon.
- Competition among workhorse utes remains. Models such as the Isuzu D-MAX and Mitsubishi Triton also recorded solid gains.
China now Australia’s biggest vehicle source
Vehicles built in China, which include models from Chinese brands as well as global manufacturers producing cars there, jumped 50.5% year-on-year. That surge made China the largest source of new vehicles sold in Australia for the month.
Japan had been Australia’s leading source of vehicles since 1998, making this a significant milestone in the changing global supply chain. This is something the FCAI says has never happened before in a single month.
Plenty of global manufacturers now build vehicles in Chinese plants for export. That includes the local lineup from Tesla and some models from Kia, with more manufacturers increasingly using Chinese production for global supply.
Bigger picture for the Aussie car buyers
February 2026’s numbers highlight two clear trends shaping the market. First, utes and SUVs still dominate the sales charts, with models like the Ranger, HiLux, and CX-5 continuing to lead the way. Second, the rapid rise of Chinese-built vehicles from both new brands and established global manufacturers is reshaping the supply landscape in Australia.
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