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May’s sales numbers: electrified closes on half the market, and seven more things to ponder

Inside Line

Electrified vehicles reached 46 percent of the market in May on the FCAI's all-sources count, with battery EVs hitting a record one in five. Both readings turn on which dataset you use — and that is increasingly the story.

Mike Sinclair
4 June 2026 · 4 min read

Reading May's new-car result requires a running mental footnote: whose numbers are these?

The month's two biggest takeaways, electrified vehicles closing on half the market and an EV leading the national sales charts, do not come from one source. They are assembled.

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Mike Sinclair
Mike Sinclair
Partner and Principal Columnist, TheAutoExec Network

Mike Sinclair is an equity partner and Principal Columnist for TheAutoExec Network. Mike has been testing and writing about cars, motorcycles and more for over 30 years. He was a key executive team member when ACP Media and Carsales formed Australia's leading automotive, industrial, marine and motorcycle online network in the 2000s, and the driving force behind the launch of motoring.com.au. For two decades, Mike led the large multimedia and editorial team at Carsales, and all PR and corporate communications. With significant exposure to both OEM and dealership disciplines, Mike now consults with a number of key brands on a range of automotive and powersports opportunities.

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