News | Auto
Toyota wins the hybrid race in Australia According to new research conducted by Carloop.com.au that analysed 50,000 hybrid car sales in Australia from 2019 to 2021, sales of the Toyota RAV4 hybrid electric/petrol vehicle increased by 39 percent year on year in 2021 compared with 2019 despite the global pandemic and semi-conductor shortage. Toyota hybrids accounted for 92 percent of all analysed hybrid sales in Australia in 2021. This eclipsed the sales figures of the petrol variant – 4,626 petrol models vs. 8,211 hybrid models in 2020, followed by 3492 petrol vs 6791 hybrid models in 2021. While sales dipped in 2021, hybrid RAV4s as a percentage increased to 66%. The far and away leader in hybrid sales is Toyota, claiming 92 percent of the market, followed by Mitsubishi on 3 percent, Hyundai on 2 percent, and Subaru on 1 percent. Of the 46,282 vehicles sold by Toyota, Toyota Corolla hybrid sales totalled 28,220 (61%), RAV4s 17,094 (37%), while the Kluger hybrid sold 968 (2%).
Not only has the RAV4 become the most popular SUV sold in Australia, but the Hybrid version became the most popular type of Rav4 sold in 2020 with the trend continuing into 2021 and projected to continue into 2022. Current Australian new car sales buck world trends. There is a current global new car
sales slump of 14 percent, a US sales dip of 15.83 percent (2019 vs 2020) and UK sales contraction of 27 percent (2019 vs 2020.) By contrast, Australian car sales have surged 33 percent year on year (October 2020 to 2021) according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.
Chrysler leaves Australia, again
litre V8 configuration it delivers 350kW and 637Nm of torque in the Chrysler 300 SRT.
FCA Australia, a subsidiary of Stellantis, confirmed the departure of the Chrysler brand from Australia; this was the sole right-hand-drive market selling Chrysler vehicles.
It’s a fitting way for the high-performance hero to bow out as Australia’s last affordable V8powered rear-wheel-drive sedan.The 300 SRT is offered alongside the Chrysler 300C Luxury.
The global push towards electrification and focus on SUVs has resulted in a consolidation of the overall product lineup in Australia.
Rootes Group, it later became the Mitsubishi manufacturing plant in 1980.
“Chrysler has held a special place in the heart of many Australians and we are proud of its history here,” Kevin Flynn, FCA Australia Managing Director, said.
The 1970s saw the arrival of the highly respected Valiant Charger, which became Chrysler Australia’s “muscle car,” and is still considered one of the brand’s most collectable automobiles.
Chrysler Australia took over the Tonsley Park Assembly Plant in Adelaide in 1964 from the
Some 50 years later, the legendary HEMI has continuously upped the ante in its latest 6.4-
8 | December 2021
“We have a hugely positive year ahead of us, focusing on electrification and moving into a very premium offering with our all-new, two and three-row Jeep Grand Cherokee as well as the PHEV Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. These models represent real advancements in terms of technology, luxury, efficiency and capability,” Mr Flynn said.
