A ute has clawed back the number one position in Australian new car sales, pushing electric vehicles down the rankings, according to drive.com.au. The shift comes as local buyers continue to prefer practical, load-carrying vehicles over passenger cars and EVs.

Globally, the picture is not the same. In the United States, sedan sales are climbing steadily, with Honda and Toyota setting the pace. Automakers that walked away from sedans are now falling behind to rivals who kept them. Locally, the 2026 Repco Bathurst 1000 is drawing attention, Renault has pivoted from drivetrains to drones, and an Australian brand has put its badge on a new car model.