September vehicle sales: what the latest figures mean for fleet planning

Australia’s September 2026 vehicle sales provide useful context for businesses planning their next fleet purchase, with established commercial vehicles remaining prominent alongside changes in the wider market.

According to CarExpert’s report by William Stopford, published on 6 October 2026 and drawing on FCAI VFACTS and Electric Vehicle Council data, total reported deliveries reached 108,778 vehicles, up 1.8 per cent on September 2025.

Light commercial vehicles accounted for 20,627 deliveries, representing 19 per cent of that total.

Familiar names feature in commercial vehicle sales

The Ford Ranger recorded 5,062 deliveries, followed by the Toyota HiLux with 4,455.

Among medium vans, CarExpert reported 949 Toyota HiAce deliveries, 276 Ford Transit Custom deliveries and 200 Hyundai Staria Load deliveries. In the small van segment, the Volkswagen Caddy recorded 77 deliveries.

These figures provide a snapshot of purchasing activity. For an individual fleet, vehicle selection still needs to start with the work being performed.

Read electrification figures in context

CarExpert reported that battery electric vehicles represented 24.2 per cent of the overall market in September, exceeding petrol and diesel sales individually.

That is a whole-market result. It should not be interpreted as the electric share of commercial van and ute sales.

For fleet managers, the practical question remains how a particular vehicle will support its intended role. Daily travel, charging arrangements, equipment requirements and available payload all need consideration before committing to a replacement program.

Consider the vehicle and fitout together

At VQuip, we encourage businesses to consider their fitout requirements during vehicle selection.

Storage, equipment access and auxiliary power requirements can influence which vehicle suits the job. Identifying these needs early helps establish a clearer brief for both the vehicle purchase and the fitout design.

Whether a fleet is retaining familiar platforms or assessing alternatives, the starting point should be consistent: understand what technicians carry, how they work and what the completed vehicle needs to deliver.

Planning your next fleet purchase? Contact VQuip to discuss your vehicle fitout requirements.

Source: William Stopford, “VFACTS September 2026: EVs beat petrol, diesel models once again in new-vehicle sales”, CarExpert, 6 October 2026. Selected sales figures reported by CarExpert using FCAI VFACTS and Electric Vehicle Council data. Fleet planning commentary by VQuip.