Car Brands in Australia: Complete List, Market Share, and Best-Selling Models

Australia's new car market has never been more diverse. With over 70 car brands now selling vehicles locally and a record 1.24 million new cars delivered in 2025 alone, Australians have more choice than ever before. Whether you are shopping for a family SUV, a budget-friendly runabout, or a high-performance EV, the sheer number of car brands in Australia can be overwhelming.

This guide covers every major car brand available in Australia right now, the latest VFACTS sales and market share data, new brands arriving in 2026, and the key trends reshaping how Aussies buy cars. We have also included our top picks for dashcams and car accessories from Amazon Australia to help you protect and equip your vehicle. For more electronics deals and comparisons, visit our electronics shopping hub.

Before we dive into the full brand breakdown, here are the top-rated dashcams on Amazon Australia. With so many cars on the road and insurance claims on the rise, a quality dashcam is one of the smartest investments any Aussie driver can make.

As of early 2026, there are more than 70 car brands officially selling new vehicles in Australia. That number has grown rapidly over the past three years, primarily driven by an influx of Chinese manufacturers entering the market. In 2015, the top 10 brands accounted for 75.9% of all new car sales. By 2025, that share had dropped to just 67.3%, meaning nearly one in three new vehicles now comes from outside the 10 biggest names.

This fragmentation is great news for buyers. More competition means better pricing, more features as standard, and broader choice across every segment from city cars to heavy-duty utes. It also means that researching your options is more important than ever. For guidance on financing your next car, head to our finance hub.

The following brands are currently selling new vehicles in Australia. We have grouped them by region of origin for clarity.

Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, Isuzu Ute, Lexus, Infiniti. Japan remains Australia's largest source of new vehicles by country of origin. Toyota alone commands a 19.3% market share, and Japanese brands collectively dominate the ute, SUV, and small car segments.

Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, SsangYong. Korean manufacturers have become major players. Kia and Hyundai sit in the top five nationally, with Kia's industry-leading 7-year warranty giving it a significant edge in the minds of value-conscious buyers. Genesis, the luxury arm of Hyundai, has also carved out a growing niche against German premium rivals.

Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Skoda, Polestar, Porsche, MINI, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, Citroen, Renault, Cupra, Maserati, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, McLaren, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Land Rover, Jaguar. European brands dominate the premium and luxury end of the market. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi remain the top three luxury sellers, while Volvo and Polestar have positioned themselves strongly in the electrified segment.

BYD, GWM (Great Wall Motors), MG, Chery, LDV, Haval, Geely, XPeng, Zeekr, GAC, Deepal, Foton, JAC, Jaecoo, Omoda. This is the fastest-growing group. China became Australia's second-largest source of new vehicles in 2025, overtaking Thailand. By January 2026, Chinese-made vehicles had captured 23.8% of monthly sales, up from 14.7% just 12 months earlier. BYD alone surged 640.9% in January 2026 to become the sixth best-selling brand nationally, according to Best Selling Cars Blog.

Ford, Tesla, RAM, Jeep, Cadillac, GMC. Ford is the standout American performer, with the Ranger holding the title of Australia's best-selling vehicle for three consecutive years. Tesla's Model Y is the only electric vehicle in the national top 10. Cadillac launched in Australia in 2025 with the all-electric Lyriq SUV, signalling a push into the premium EV space.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) publishes VFACTS data annually. Here is where Australia's top brands finished for the full 2025 calendar year, based on reporting from CarExpert and NRMA.

The headline story is the explosive rise of BYD, which surged nine positions to reach eighth place with a staggering 156.2% year-on-year increase. GWM also climbed three spots. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi and MG both recorded double-digit declines, showing that even established brands face pressure in this increasingly competitive market.

At the model level, utes and SUVs continue to dominate Australian roads. According to CarsGuide's full VFACTS breakdown, the 2025 top 10 looked like this:

The Ford Ranger claimed the top spot for the third consecutive year, though its volume dipped by nearly 10%. SUVs accounted for 60.7% of total market sales in 2025, reinforcing Australia's strong preference for high-riding, versatile vehicles. The Tesla Model Y was the only fully electric vehicle to crack the top 10.

The wave of new entrants is far from over. According to CarsGuide, several additional brands have confirmed Australian launches for 2026:

Denza (by BYD) is BYD's luxury sub-brand, launching with the D9 people mover and B5/B8 plug-in hybrid SUVs. Wey (by GWM) brings GWM's premium range, including large plug-in hybrid SUVs. Forthing (by Dongfeng) is entering with the Friday, an electric and range-extender SUV. Leapmotor plans to launch its B05 electric hatchback in mid-2026, competing with the MG 4.

Industry analysts predict that by 2027, there could be close to 20 Chinese brands operating in Australia. While this is excellent for consumer choice and pricing pressure, it does raise questions about long-term dealer support, parts availability, and resale values for lesser-known names.

Electrification is accelerating in Australia, though the shift looks different here compared to Europe or China. Full battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 8.3% of all new sales in 2025, totalling 103,269 units (up 13.1% year on year). But the real growth story was plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), which more than doubled with 53,484 deliveries and a 130.9% increase.

Traditional hybrids (HEVs) also rose 15.3% to 199,133 units. Combined, electrified vehicles of all types represented roughly 28.7% of the 2025 market. BYD overtook Tesla as the top EV brand by volume, securing a 37.1% share of the pure EV segment, while Tesla dropped 24.8%. Kia ranked third for EV sales with an 85.7% gain.

If you are considering an EV or hybrid and want to understand the financial implications, our insights section covers topics like running costs, tax benefits, and total cost of ownership comparisons.

With more vehicles on Australian roads than ever, protecting yourself with a quality dashcam is essential. Whether you drive a brand-new BYD or a trusty Toyota HiLux, front-and-rear recording can save you thousands in disputed insurance claims. The VIOFO A229 Pro is our top recommendation for 2026.

If you want dual-channel coverage without paying for 4K, the A229 Plus offers an excellent balance of performance and value.

Resale value is a crucial consideration when buying a new car, and certain brands consistently outperform. According to Cars24 data on used car sales, Toyota dominated the used car market in 2025, accounting for more than 15% of all used vehicle transactions. Mercedes-Benz (76,037 used sales), BMW (73,150), and Audi (56,220) also showed strong demand in the secondhand market.

The brands that tend to hold their value best in Australia are Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai, Kia, and Subaru in the mainstream segment, and Porsche, Land Rover, and Lexus in the premium space. For newer Chinese brands like BYD and GWM, resale data is still limited, so buyers should factor in some uncertainty around long-term depreciation.

This is one of the most common questions among Australian car buyers right now. The short answer: Chinese brands have improved dramatically in quality and safety, but long-term reliability data is still limited for many of them.

BYD, GWM, and MG all sell vehicles that meet Australia's strict ADR (Australian Design Rules) safety standards, and several models have earned 5-star ANCAP safety ratings. BYD backs its Blade Battery with an 8-year, 160,000 km warranty, and MG offers a competitive 7-year warranty. Chery and its sub-brands (Omoda, Jaecoo) similarly offer generous warranty terms.

The main concerns are around dealer network coverage, spare parts availability outside major cities, and resale values. If you are buying a newer Chinese brand, consider purchasing from a dealer with a strong local presence and check how many service centres are within reasonable distance of your home.

Toyota has been Australia's best-selling car brand for over two decades, and 2025 was no exception. With 239,863 new vehicles sold, Toyota commanded a 19.3% market share. That means roughly one in five new cars on Australian roads carries a Toyota badge.

Toyota's dominance spans multiple segments: the HiLux and LandCruiser in the ute and 4WD categories, the RAV4 in medium SUVs, the Corolla in small cars, and the Camry in sedans. The brand's reputation for reliability, strong resale values, and extensive dealer network across regional Australia make it a default choice for many buyers.

However, Toyota's grip is loosening. In January 2026, Toyota sales fell 22.3% while BYD and Chery recorded massive gains. The market is diversifying rapidly, and it is no longer a question of whether Chinese brands will challenge Toyota's dominance, but when.

With so many car brands in Australia competing for your attention, narrowing down your shortlist comes down to a few key factors.

Budget. Chinese brands like MG, Chery, and GWM offer the most car for the money, particularly in the SUV segment. Korean brands (Kia, Hyundai) sit in the value-premium middle ground. European and Japanese brands tend to command a premium but typically deliver stronger resale values.

Usage. If you need a workhorse ute for trades or towing, the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, and Isuzu D-Max are proven choices. For city commuters, a hybrid or EV from BYD, Tesla, or Hyundai can dramatically cut fuel costs.

Warranty and servicing. Kia leads the market with a 7-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. MG and several Chinese brands match or exceed this. Toyota offers 5 years, while most European brands sit at 3 to 5 years. For regional buyers, check dealer and service centre proximity before committing.

Resale value. If you plan to sell within 3 to 5 years, Toyota, Mazda, and Kia consistently top the resale charts. Newer brands may depreciate more sharply until they build a stronger used-car market presence.

More than 70 brands currently sell new vehicles in Australia, with additional Chinese manufacturers expected to launch in 2026 and 2027. This number includes everything from mass-market brands like Toyota and Kia to ultra-luxury names like Rolls-Royce and Ferrari.

The Ford Ranger has been Australia's best-selling vehicle for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025), with 56,555 units delivered in 2025. In early 2026, it continued to lead ahead of the Toyota HiLux and Mazda CX-5.

BYD has rapidly established itself as a serious contender. Its 156.2% sales growth in 2025 and 37.1% share of the EV market speak to strong consumer acceptance. BYD vehicles meet all Australian safety standards, offer competitive warranties (6 years for the vehicle, 8 years for the Blade Battery), and are priced aggressively. The main caveat is that the dealer network is still expanding, so regional service access may be limited compared to Toyota or Mazda.

While not legally required, a dashcam is strongly recommended. Dashcam footage is admissible as evidence in insurance disputes and traffic incidents across all Australian states and territories. With more cars on the road than ever, the relatively small cost of a quality dashcam (from around $100 to $400) can save you thousands in at-fault claims. Look for models with heat resistance rated to 70 degrees Celsius or higher to withstand Australian summers. Browse our electronics section for more car tech recommendations.

The Australian car market in 2026 is more competitive, more electrified, and more global than at any point in history. Toyota still leads, but the rapid rise of Chinese brands like BYD, GWM, and Chery is reshaping the landscape. For buyers, this means better value, more features, and greater choice across every price bracket.

Whatever brand you drive, protecting your investment with a quality dashcam like the VIOFO A229 Pro or the more affordable VIOFO A229 Plus is a smart move. For more product comparisons, car finance options, and money-saving tips, explore our insights and finance sections.