Isuzu UTE has continued its rise through the ranks of Australia’s best-selling automotive brands to finish 2024 in 8^th place overall in the official Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) figures. It’s the highest ranking ever for the Japanese marque.

With a record total of 48,172 vehicles sold, Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA) achieved a year-on-year increase of 6.2 percent. That result is especially notable given IUA produces just two models: the D-MAX 1-Tonne Ute, and the MU-X 7-seat SUV.

It was another outstanding year overall for the domestic automotive market, with a total of 1.221 million new vehicle sales, up from 1.216 million in 2023, a lift of 0.3 per cent. IUA now accounts for 3.9 per cent of all new-car deliveries in Australia, one of the world’s most competitive automotive marketplaces, where more than 50 brands compete across around 450 separate models.

While both the D-MAX and the MU-X performed impressively, each model had its own distinct narrative throughout the year. Australia’s love affair with the ute continues, with the D-MAX consolidating its position to finish 3^rd in the 1-tonne Ute LCV (Light Commercial Vehicle) segment, as well as an imposing 4^th place overall.

With 30,194 D-MAXs delivered, 2024 saw IUA top 30,000 ute sales for the second year running. That result reflects the strong reception for the facelifted 2024 Isuzu D-MAX, which was released in May and significantly shaped by customer feedback. With a record 31,202 D-MAX utes sold and delivered the previous year, 2023 remains the benchmark.

The MU-X, meanwhile, saw record-breaking demand for the model, delivering no fewer than 17,978 vehicles across 2024 – up from 14,139 for a stunning year-on-year increase of 27.2 per cent. (The 2023 result of 14,139 MU-X sales was itself an increase of 28.7 percent on the SUV’s 2022 numbers. Combined, MU-X sales are up an extraordinary 38.9 per cent since the start of 2023.)

Remarkably, consistent demand for Isuzu’s 7-seat full-size SUV means the MU-X has now placed among Australia’s top two best-selling ute-based SUVs for a decade, as well as finishing 2024 ranked 2^nd place overall in the hotly contested ‘SUV Large < $80K’ segment.

Isuzu UTE Australia’s Managing Director, Junta Matsui, said, “Success in one of the world’s most fiercely competitive markets is not something that we take for granted, and we strive always to make sure that our customer is at the heart of everything we do. Finishing 2024 as Australia’s eighth best-selling automotive brand is an outstanding result for our two-vehicle marque, and a reflection, I hope, of our commitment to listening to our customers and their feedback.”

“It’s their loyalty, enthusiasm, and insistence on a world-class product that’s allowed us to reach new heights in 2024. It’s a great privilege to have been chosen to put new Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X models in more than 48,000 Australian driveways this past year, and I would like to thank each buyer for putting their faith in us.”

“The long-term success of the MU-X has also been gratifying. Incredibly, 2024 marked 11 years since the MU-X became available locally, and it’s continued to achieve close to 30 per cent growth in each of the past two years, as well as placing first or second among Ute-based SUV sales for a decade.”

While change is constant in the automotive industry, Mr Matsui is confident in the strength of Isuzu UTE Australia moving forward. “It’s an exciting time in the Australian market as it evolves to welcome more competitors, adapts to new trends, and responds to challenges both international and domestic,” says Mr Matsui.

“However, I am confident that the strength of IUA’s product, and our commitment to our Isuzu UTE family, makes us well placed to carry our momentum forward. I look forward to welcoming even more D-MAX and MU-X buyers in embracing the best of the Australian lifestyle in 2025.”

A deeper examination of FCAI figures revealed further success in the details for IUA. The D-MAX also achieved 2^nd position in the ‘Pick Up/Cab Chassis 4X2’ segment, with 6,163 sales accounting for a 23.7 per cent market share.

Light commercial vehicle sales make up 22.1 per cent of the Australian market, including three of the top-four most popular models, while SUVs continue to power ahead overall, now representing 57 per cent of total Australian new car sales.

To learn more about the Isuzu range, visit the D-MAX and MU-X page.