Toyota still on a high

Five- year streak confirms Australia’s love of the ute

AUSTRALIA’S love of macho utes continued throughout 2020, with the Toyota HiLux crowned the nation’s bestselling car for the fifth year in a row.

Sales figures released by the car industry on Wednesday revealed Toyota’s HiLux was the most popular new car, finishing ahead of its rival, the Ford Ranger pick- up.

The data also show a significant up- tick in sales last month, with industry experts predicting a return to more than 1 million new cars sold in 2021.

One HiLux customer, Sydney builder Matt Campbell, said he kept coming back to the model because it suited every facet of his life.

“I use it for work, I tow the trailer, fill it with gear and go away on holidays with it,” he said. “You can use it for everything. You can throw the kids and dog in there and you still feel like you’re driving a decent family car.”

Utes are the best- selling models for manufacturers including Toyota, Ford, Mitsubishi and Isuzu.

Premium models with luxury features, such as leather trim, often represent the most popular versions within the range.

The best models are loaded with technology, such as auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection, as well as leather seats and climate control, that make them safer and more comfortable than older, more basic models.

Many buyers are attracted to the adventurous image of dual- cab models, backed by four- wheel- drive traction, impressive towing ability and a spacious cabin for families.

Toyota vice- president Sean Hanley said Toyota was proud of the RAV4’ s place as the top SUV in 2020, helped

by strong demand for fuelefficient hybrid variants representing nearly 70 per cent of sales.

More than 26 per cent of new Toyotas sold in Australia in 2020 had hybrid power. Hybrid sales increased 94 per cent in 2020, while electric vehicles increased by 15 per cent.

Toyota topped the overall sales charts ahead of Mazda and Hyundai.

Overall, car sales were down significantly because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The industry recorded 916,968 vehicles sold in 2020, a 13.7 per cent decrease on the 1,062,867 vehicles delivered in 2019.