THE Ford Ranger has extended its sales lead on the Toyota Hilux in the 4×4 segment, following a record-breaking month for new car sales.

134,171 new vehicles were sold in June, 2017, surpassing the previous monthly record of 128,569 (June, 2016).

VFACTS attributes this sales spike – a 0.2 per cent increase year-to-date on 2016 – to low interest rates, the Government’s instant asset write-off provisions, and to a highly competitive market.

SUVs and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) have driven this growth, with SUV sales up 11.7 per cent and LCV sales up 12.2 per cent when compared to this time last year. Passenger car sales have dropped 5.9 per cent compared to June 2016.

The ever-strengthening 4×4 market was headlined by the strong sales performance across the range, with most brands registering month-to-month increases.

2018 Ford Ranger Raptor captured

The Ford Ranger took a stranglehold on the annual 4×4 sales race, extending its lead on the second-place Hilux to 511 units.

The Ranger’s sales performance is even more impressive when you consider it has had relatively few tweaks since the PX model was launched late 2012. In contrast, an all-new Hilux was only launched two years ago, and this – at least in terms of 4×4 utes, where model lifecycles are considerably longer than wagons – means Toyota may have to work some magic to combat the sales threat from this current Ranger, while also trying to second guess Ford’s plans for the updated Ranger, due late 2018.

The impressive Triton 4×4 continued on its merry way, accruing 2657 sales, while the Holden Colorado and Toyota Prado rounded out the top five.

Isuzu UTE Australia, in particular, had a stellar month, pushing record numbers of both the D-MAX and MU-X (4×4 and 4×2 units) off the showroom floor.

“Both the one-tonne D-MAX ute and seven-seat MU-X SUV achieved individual monthly record sales, with 2388 and 1178 units respectively,” Isuzu UTE Australia said in a statement.

This increase in sales performance – a 44.5 per cent rise (D-MAX) and a 65.4 per cent rise (MU-X) compared to June last year – has been driven by the introduction of a new drivetrain and cosmetic and comfort enhancements.

On the overall market, the Toyota Hilux (4×4 and 4×2) remained the best-selling vehicle, with the Ranger (4×4 and 4×2), Corolla, Tuscon and Mazda3 trailing behind.

u00a0

4X4

JUNE 17u00a0

u00a0MAY 17u00a0

u00a0YTD

1

Ford Ranger

4449

3384

18,563

2

Toyota Hilux

3938

3136

17,140

3

Mitsubishi Triton

2657

1472

10,318

4

Holden Colorado

2180

1699

9603

5

Toyota Prado

1971

1619

8657

6

Nissan Navara

1934

1194

7373

7

Isuzu Ute D-MAX

1743

1242

6127

8

Toyota Land Cruiser wagon

1255

1313

6451

=9

Mazda BT-50

1124

693

4746

=9

Volkswagen Amarok

1124

713

4361