Home » Dealership Operations

Category: Dealership Operations

New Research Maps Australia’s Automotive Future

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

The Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) has released new research today which details Australia’s past, current and future automotive trading partners, with a particular focus on understanding how the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) impacts automotive dealers.

The report reveals that China is gaining momentum in supplying vehicles to the Australian market and are on track to become the dominant source of automotive imports by 2035 with 43 per cent of all new vehicles sold by 2035 coming from China.

The research to be released at the 2025 AADA Convention & Expo to over 1,000 new car dealers and industry stakeholders, details how the Australian automotive market has always been in a constant state of flux but this rapid growth of imports from China will fundamentally change the Australian automotive landscape.

Speaking to the research at the Convention, James Voortman, CEO of AADA, notes that:

“Australia is at an inflection point where we are going to see exponential growth of sales and new brands from China which we are already starting to see now. This growth comes on top of the change to electric vehicle drive trains.”

“This rate of growth can have unintended implications to consumer protections such as the supply of parts, wait times to service vehicles, and the long-term ability of manufacturers to guarantee their consumer warranties.”

“Australian consumers have long expected a level of service from AADA members upon purchasing a new vehicle and we want to continue to meet that expectation. To do that, we will be talking to Government about what consumer protections are adequate and appropriate to support Australian dealers and consumers in what is, on average, the second largest asset Australian’s buy in their lifetime.”

VIEW REPORT

AADA & CCS Cyber Security Factsheets

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

Following the successful Cyber Smart Dealers program in 2024, and as part of our collaboration with Cultural Cyber Security, we’ve developed six fact sheets and resources to support our members in navigating cybersecurity challenges. These materials distil key insights from the program, offering practical guidance on protecting dealerships from cyber threats, strengthening digital security, and ensuring compliance with industry best practices.

Building on the discussions and expert advice shared throughout the series, topics covered include:

  • Cyber Security Hygiene
  • Email Compromise
  • Identity Crime
  • Social Engineering
  • Password Management
  • Phishing
VIEW CYBER SECURITY FACTSHEETS

Holiday Period Sees Used Car Sales Soften in December Automotive Insights Report

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

The December edition of the Automotive Insights Report (AIR) has been released today.

AIR shows that used car trading softened in December compared to the previous month, most likely due to seasonal factors. The average time it takes to sell a used car is increasing over time, while the retained values of used cars is edging down. 

“In December used car sales and cars listed for sale contracted from the previous month as Australians fell into the Christmas and New Year holiday period,” said AADA CEO Mr James Voortman.

“Petrol and diesel cars dominate the used car market making up around 95 percent of cars sold and cars for sale. The market for used electric vehicles is immature but is expected to grow as new EV sales make their way onto the used market,” said Mr Voortman.

“Despite a reduction in days to sell from the previous month, we are still seeing a trend of used vehicles taking longer to sell with December being the second month in a row that average days to sell is over 50,” he said.

“The retained value of cars continues to reduce, indicating an improving supply situation which should bode well for consumers,” he said.

The Automotive Insights Report shows that in December:

  • Across Australia 276,268 vehicles were listed for sale and in that period 169,312 were sold.
  • The data shows that the overwhelming majority of used cars being bought and sold have petrol or diesel engines.
  • The used market for electric vehicles remains very immature with battery electric vehicles making up 0.7% of total cars sold and plug-in hybrid vehicles making up less than 0.2%.
  • The average time to sell a used car is 50.9 days which is a slight reduction from the previous month, but the trend shows days to sell increasing.
  • Retained values continue to decline after the record highs of recent years.
  • Some popular used cars are worth more on average today than when they were sold new – examples include the Suzuki Jimny, Toyota Yaris/Yaris Cross, Toyota Landcruiser, Toyota Rav4 and Honda Jazz for vehicles aged between two and four years.
  • The list of top selling cars in the used market closely reflects preferences in the new car market, with the Ford Ranger taking out top spot ahead of the Toyota Hilux.

The 2023 Annual Report rounding up the full calendar year of used car sales will be released to the public in the coming weeks.

VIEW DECEMBER AIR

AADA and AutoGrab Release First Automotive Insights Report

Posted on by Ashleigh Sykes

The first edition of the Automotive Insights Report (AIR) is live today. AIR is a joint initiative from the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) and AutoGrab which will provide data on Australia’s used car market every month.

“Prior to the release of AIR there has been no reliable and regular dataset for the used car market, even though more than 65 per cent of all cars purchased in Australia are used cars,” said AADA CEO Mr James Voortman.

“AADA has partnered with the used car market data specialists, AutoGrab, to provide regular market data which will serve as a valuable resource for Dealers, consumers, and enthusiasts interested in the used car market,” he said.

“The first edition of AIR shows that after a number of years of tight supply, Australia’s used car market is seeing increased levels of stock with increases in the time it takes to sell a car and a gradual decline in retained values,” said James.

“AutoGrab is thrilled to partner with the AADA to bring greater transparency to the used car market. For the first time, consumers can navigate the market with confidence, armed with valuable insights into vehicle values and market trends, said Daniel Werzberger, Founder and CEO of AutoGrab.

“In an increasingly challenging landscape for car dealerships, with average days to sell on the rise and retained values experiencing a downward trend across the board, our priority is to revolutionise the way people navigate the used car landscape. This report marks a significant step forward in our mission to make car buying a transparent, informed, and value-driven experience for all,” he said.

The inaugural report shows that in November:

  • Across Australia 303,732 vehicles were listed for sale and in that period 206,417 were sold.
  • The data also shows that the overwhelming majority of used cars being bought and sold have petrol or diesel engines.
  • The used market for battery electric vehicles remains very immature with these vehicles making up only 1.25% of total vehicles for sale and only 0.6% of total cars sold for the month.
  • The average time to sell a used car is 52 days which is the highest it has been over the past 12 months.
  • Retained values are gradually declining after the record highs of recent years, but there are still several makes and models which are holding their value very well and, in some instances, exceeding their new market value.
  • The list of top selling cars in the used market closely reflects preferences in the new car market, with the Ford Ranger taking out top spot ahead of the Toyota Hilux.

These statistics will now be released each month, with next month’s release offering full calendar year data for the used car market.

DOWNLOAD NOVEMBER AIR