EXPLORING CAR OWNERSHIP TRENDS IN VICTORIA
People in Victoria really like their cars. They enjoy the freedom that comes with being able to move around easily. According to recent data from the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) in Australia, there are over 4.8 million registered passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in Victoria.
When it comes to the types of cars people prefer, there are some clear favorites among Victorians. The Australian Automotive Association (AAA) has looked at which cars are most commonly registered in different areas. This shows that even though some iconic cars are no longer made, they're still popular choices for Victorians.
Apart from the classic cars that people love, there's also a growing interest in newer technologies. More people are starting to use electric and hybrid cars because they care about the environment. This change isn't just happening in cities, even people in rural areas are choosing these kinds of cars.
There are also exciting changes happening in how people get around. Shared transportation services and self-driving cars are becoming more common. Governments, car companies, and tech firms are working together to create a future where getting around is easier and more convenient.
As Victoria's car scene keeps changing, one thing stays the same: people's love for cars and the freedom they bring will always be a big part of life in the state.
Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon
Even though they stopped making the Holden Commodore in 2017 and stopped selling it in 2020, it's still the most common car in many parts of Victoria. Thirty four areas in Victoria say it's the top car registered there. People in both outer parts of cities and rural areas like it, with places like Mornington Peninsula, Corangamite, and Wellington preferring it.
Another Australian car that's still very popular is the Ford Falcon. It's the top registered car in eight areas in Victoria and is the fourth most common car across the whole state. Even though Greater Geelong used to be a big place for Ford, the Commodore beats the Falcon there.
People in Victoria, and even all across Australia, tend to keep their cars for a long time. This might explain why the Commodore and Falcon are still so popular. Recent data shows that the average age of cars in Australia was 11 years in 2022, up a bit from 10.8 years in 2021. In Victoria, the average age of cars was about 10.84 years in 2022, which is older than in the ACT but younger than in Tasmania.
Because there haven't been many new cars available recently and the prices of used cars have gone up, more people are keeping their cars for longer. And since there aren't any new Australian cars like the Commodore or Falcon coming soon, fans of these big cars might not want to switch to smaller ones like SUVs or small cars, which are popular with shoppers right now.
Melbourne's Inner City Favorite
In Melbourne's inner city areas like Merri-bek, Maribyrnong, Port Phillip, Yarra, Boroondara, and Melbourne itself, the Toyota Corolla is the most popular car. It's actually the second most common car in all of Victoria. In 19 of these areas, mostly in metropolitan Melbourne but also in places like the Borough of Queenscliffe on the Bellarine Peninsula, you'll find the Corolla the most.
In the inner city areas where the Corolla isn't the top choice, you'll see other small cars taking the lead. For example, the Mazda3 is popular in Bayside, and the Volkswagen Golf is big in Stonnington. The Golf is interesting because it's the only European car on the list. The Toyota Camry is also a favorite, especially in places like Wyndham, which is close to where the Camry was made in Altona Meadows for 54 years.
Unlike the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon, the Toyota Corolla's success comes from being around for a long time and being liked. It's been in production since 1966 and has been the top selling passenger car for nine years in a row, from 2013 to 2021.
Rural Victoria's Vehicle of Choice
Victorians really like Toyota cars, and you can see that in how much they like the Toyota HiLux. It's a type of pickup truck that comes in both two wheel drive and four wheel drive versions. The HiLux is the third most common car in 13 areas of Victoria. It's not a surprise since the HiLux has been the best-selling car in Australia for seven years in a row, including 2022.
While the Holden Commodore is liked all over the state and the Toyota Corolla is the top choice in the city, the HiLux is the favorite for people in rural areas. You'll find it as the top car in places like Colac Otway, Hepburn, and Indigo shires.
In rural areas where the HiLux isn't the top car, people often go for the Holden Commodore or the Toyota Landcruiser instead. This shows that people in different areas have different preferences and needs when it comes to their cars.
Why SUVs and Electric Vehicles Are Missing from Victoria
You might notice that smaller SUVs like the MG ZS, Mazda CX-5, and Toyota RAV4 aren't on the list of the most common cars in Victoria's different areas. Even though SUVs are really popular overall, especially in sales data from June 2023, it might take some time before we see them topping the list of registered cars in Victoria. That's because the cars already on the road tend to be older, so it could be a while before newer SUV sales catch up.
Even though more people are buying electric cars, none of them are the most common car in any area of Victoria. This is even though brands like Tesla and BYD are making big sales in the new car market. For example, the Tesla Model Y SUV was the best-selling passenger car in Australia in June 2023. This might hint at changes we could see in the future, but right now, electric cars still only make up about 0.5% of all cars in Australia.
So, even though more people are interested in electric cars, they haven't become the most common cars in any area of Victoria or Australia yet.
