August 2026: Tesla Model Y tops sales as EV uptake surges
At a glance:
- Tesla Model Y tops new car sales for the month – the third time it has done so this year
- Chinese SUVs make up six of the top 10 selling models for the month of August
- A record month for EVs in Australia, with 27,089 sold according to industry data
The Tesla Model Y has risen back to the top of the new car sales charts in Australia for the month of August, as Chinese-made electric SUVs once again dominated the top 10.
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Combined figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Electric Vehicle Council reveal the Model Y (6414) was the most popular vehicle in the country last month, beating the Toyota RAV4 (5470), Toyota HiLux (4833), Toyota Prado (2475) and Ford Ranger (2440).
In a month where 108,740 vehicles were sold across the country, EVs comprised 24.9 per cent of overall sales (27,089 sold according to combined VFACTS and EVC data) – a new monthly record for the segment.
Chinese-made SUVs were once again the flavour of the month, completing the remaining spots in the top 10 thanks to strong performances from the BYD Sealion 7 (2213), Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (2012), Geely EX5 (1947), GWM Haval Jolion (1891) and Zeekr 7X (1748).
Plug-in hybrids made up 10.5 per cent of the total market and traditional hybrids contributed another 18.5 per cent, as Aussies do what they can to minimise historically high fuel prices domestically.
While Chinese SUVs are continuing to sway the new car conversation in Australia, it is Toyota which remains the country’s most popular marque by a country mile. The Japanese giant secured 19,712 sales for August, with BYD now holding a commanding position on second outright year-to-date, after 8231 sales in August.
Kia remains the third most popular new brand year-to-date, ahead of Ford, Mazda and Hyundai. GWM, Tesla, Chery and MG continue their meteoric rise up the charts in seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th place respectively.
Nissan and Mitsubishi are both out of the year-to-date top 10 entirely after a 30 per cent plunge in sales.
The interest in EVs follows the release of the annual NRMA Insurance Changing Gears report, which found that Australian consumers were constantly breaking down the traditional barriers to EV adoption, and that uptake was likely to increase in the future.
The latest data revealed that more than 80 per cent of Aussies would now consider an EV.
Top 10 makes – August
1. Toyota – 19,712
2. BYD – 8231
3. Tesla – 7685
4. Kia – 6500
5. Mazda – 6203
6. Hyundai – 5355
7. GWM – 4870
8. Ford – 4816
9. MG – 4767
10. Geely – 4504
Top 10 models – August
1. Tesla Model Y – 64142. Toyota RAV4 – 5470
3. Toyota Hilux – 4833
4. Toyota Prado – 2475
5. Ford Ranger – 2440
6. BYD Sealion 7 – 2213
7. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – 2012
8. Geely EX5 – 1947
9. GWM Haval Jolion – 1891
10. Zeekr 7X – 1748
