Electric vehicle (EV) sales in Australia experienced a 15.6 percent decline in August 2024 compared to the same month in 2023.
Over 1,000 EVs have been recalled in Australia due to a battery software issue that could potentially cause a fire.
The potential consequences of a vehicle fire include serious injury or death to occupants, other road users, bystanders, and property damage.
Consumers were advised to contact authorized MINI dealers for a software update at no cost to address the issue.
The latest electric MINI Cooper SE is available for purchase starting at $64,979 in Australia, featuring a 54.2-kilowatt hour battery capacity with a travel range of 300 to 400 kilometers.
MINI, a subsidiary of BMW Group Australia, is known for its luxury vehicles manufactured by the German-based BMW Group.
Additional Recalls in September
In a separate recall, over 2,000 Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 2024 hybrid vehicles were recalled due to a manufacturing issue affecting airbag deployment.
Moreover, 166 American Special RAM 1500 DT 2023 and 2024 pickup trucks were recalled in September due to a manufacturing defect affecting the driver’s airbag deployment.
The recall notice pointed out that a manufacturing issue with the Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) could prevent the driver’s airbag from deploying in case of an accident.
Decline in EV Sales in Australia
Meanwhile, EV sales in Australia declined to 5.8 percent of the market in August 2024, down from 6.6 percent in the same month last year.
Recent statistics revealed a 15.6 percent decrease in EV sales, with battery vehicle sales dropping from 6,984 in August 2023 to 5,892 in August 2024.
Hybrid vehicle sales almost doubled in August 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching 11,500 vehicles.
SUVs and light commercial vehicles continued to dominate the market, constituting 80 percent of all vehicle sales.
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries CEO Tony Weber noted the disappointing sales of battery electric vehicles despite an increase in their availability in the Australian market.
He highlighted the growing popularity of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, with sales of the latter increasing significantly.
Weber commended the resilience of the new car market amidst economic challenges, with Toyota leading the sales in August 2024 followed by Ford and Mazda.
