Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) delivered an all-time record of 45,341 vehicles in 2023, besting the brand’s 2022 results of 35,323 by 10,018 vehicles.
Accounting for 3.7% of all new vehicles sold, IUA’s results secured the marque a top-10 position in the annual sales charts for the second consecutive year.
Utes and SUVs continued to be the preferred vehicle of choice, accounting for over three-quarters (78.3%) of all new vehicles delivered.
For the first time yet, the D-Max closed out the year as one of Australia’s top-three best-selling vehicles overall—joining the podium alongside the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.
More than 31,202 D-Max utes were sold and delivered in 2023, representing an increase of 28.2% compared with 2022’s results and the first time the brand has delivered over 30,000 utes in a calendar year.
With a market share of 12.2%, the results showed that close to one-in-eight Australians that purchased a 4×4 ute in 2023 chose the D-MAX, with the nameplate comfortably securing 3rd position in the ever-evolving ‘PU/CC 4X4’ segment.
Within the ‘PU/CC 4X2’ segment, the D-MAX took the runner-up position as Australia’s 2nd best-selling 4X2 ute, with 5,759 D-MAX 4X2 utes delivered in 2023, accounting for a market share of 18.8%.
In 2023, one-in-two new car buyers gravitated to an SUV, with 55.8% of Australian buyers picking a sport utility vehicle.
Seeing similar levels of growth in the market with an increase of 28.7 per cent year-on-year, the MU-X proved popular with Australians as 14,139 examples found new homes in driveways nationwide.
Reflective of this, one-in-nine large-SUV buyers with a budget up to $70,000 chose the MU-X, with the 7-seat SUV recording a ‘SUV Large <$70K’ segment market share of 11.2 per cent to chart as the 3rd best-selling SUV out of 23 contenders in the hotly contested segment. Overall, the MU-X was Australia’s 22ndbest-selling vehicle.
IUA managing director, Junta Matsui, says the result was the culmination of “strategic problem solving and resolve,” crediting the accomplishment to those behind the scenes.
“We appreciate that it hasn’t been the easiest of years for our two-car brand and the industry overall, with a number of logistical challenges effecting deliveries throughout the year. But we were able to work around these challenges and deliver customer orders as quickly as possible.”
“Without a doubt, this historic sales record would not have been possible if it wasn’t for all the people behind the brand, from our head-office, regional, and of course the dealer network staff. Everyone has remained focused throughout the year and this record result reflects their dedication,” he says.
