Our take on the latest Car registrations (Fri 2 Jul 2021)
New car registrations up 39%pa in June
Used car registrations down 5.9%pa
Resurgence in rental cars
The key numbers...
- There were 21,577 cars registered in June 2021, an 11%pa rise. Seasonally adjusted the June quarter was a 6.6% improvement on the March quarter.
- New car registrations were strong, up by 39%pa in June, or 18% from June 2019, although used cars remain soft, down 5.9%pa.
- There were 394 new electric vehicle registrations (pure EVs and Plug-in hybrids) in June (up 112%pa), and 129 used electric vehicle registrations (down 53%).
- There were 750 new rental car registrations in June. This is the strongest result since COVID-19, although still 31% below June 2019.
New EVs overtake used EVs
Registrations of pure electrics and plug-in hybrids, annual running total
...and our reaction
- The June quarter was strong for passenger car registrations, although the pace of recovery was stronger for new cars compared to used. Supply issues appear to be more restrictive in the used car market.
- New electric vehicle purchases are in strong recovery, although used electric vehicle registrations have faltered slightly. The electric vehicle rebate scheme and higher fuel prices provide a stronger economic argument for buying an electric vehicle.
- Rental car registrations are picking up for winter tourism. Australia made up nearly half of all winter tourist arrivals in 2019. If the Trans-Tasman bubble is taken full advantage of, it will be a huge relief to tourist operators. Unfortunately, recent lockdowns in Australia and NZ will cause disruptions, there is currently a temporary pause on travel with New South Whales.
Latest updates
Premium
Car registrations
Strong car registrations despite Iran War
Thu 2 Jul 2026
Quarterly
+19%pa New car registrations in June 2026 quarter+165%pa EV registrations in June 2026 quarter
Fuel prices off highs, still 19% higher than pre-conflictPremium
Car registrations
EV car registrations surge following fuel price spike
Thu 2 Apr 2026
Quarterly
4x higher Full battery EV registrations than in March 2025
Fuel prices rise 30%+ in March 2026Car registrations trending lower before the warCar registrations
Total car registrations slowly lifting from low
Mon 12 Jan 2026
Quarterly
183,099 Total car registrations in the year to December 2025, down 1.1%pa
Quarterly new car registrations up 6.7%paQuarterly used car registrations down 4.1%paCar registrations
New car registrations lift the annual total from a low
Wed 1 Oct 2025
Quarterly
182,258 Total car registrations in the year to September, up 5.7%pa
New car registrations up 20%pa from September 2024Used car registrations down 7.3%pa from September 2024