THE Ford Ranger has toppled the Toyota Hilux to become the best-selling 4×4 so far in 2019.
The Ranger 4×4 registered 333 more sales than the Hilux 4×4 in July, to put its nose in front on the year-to-date charts by just 75 units.

In a slow overall vehicle market, highlighted by a year-to-date sales dip of 7.7 per cent, the Ranger is also one of the only 4x4s to show sales growth compared to the same month last year (+9.6 per cent); the Hilux dropped by 5.4 per cent. In fact, the LCV market was down by 325 sales (1.9 per cent) compared to the same month last year.
The chief executive of the FCAI, Tony Weber, said the month’s sluggish sales figures were the result of increasing the Luxury Car Tax imposts, in addition to a number of other factors.
“The July sales figures continue to illustrate the tough market conditions facing the Australian automotive industry and the sensitive nature of the economy over the past 12 months,” he said. “Tight financial lending, drought, increasing Luxury Car Tax imposts and the Federal election have all contributed to make the Australian car market one of the toughest in the world.”
The Toyota Hilux remains the best-selling vehicle on the overall charts – when you combine 4×4 and 4×2 variants – with a total of 3359 sales (2517 4×4; 842 4×2). The Ranger sits in third spot on the overall charts – behind the Toyota Corolla – with 3168 sales (2850 4×4; 318 4×2).