Holden Vehicle Registrations Fell Below One Million
The iconic brand's total number of registered vehicles dropped below one million across Australia in January 2026.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Car Types
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As of January 2026, the number of registered Holden vehicles on Australian roads declined to 1,000,292. This marks a milestone for the brand, which remains the fourth most common vehicle make in the country despite being discontinued.
Why it matters
The steady decline in Holden registrations highlights the inevitable ageing of a retired brand's fleet. While Holdens remain a significant presence on Australian roads, their numbers are shrinking as vehicles reach the end of their service lives.
Official Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics data shows 1,000,292 registered Holdens as of January 2026. Projections suggest this count will fall to approximately 926,000 by January 2027.
The players
Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics
This Australian government agency provides economic and statistical analysis regarding the nation's transport and infrastructure sectors.
Holden
Once a pillar of Australian automotive manufacturing, this brand was officially discontinued by its parent company.
Toyota
This global automotive manufacturer currently holds the largest share of registered vehicles on Australian roads.
The details
The Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics excludes defence, consular, and special-interest vintage vehicles from these counts. Other brands, such as Toyota with 3.3 million units and Mazda with 1.5 million units, continue to maintain higher registration totals.
Timeline
The registration data was recorded in January 2026.
Projections estimate the total will reach 926,000 by January 2027.
Roadmap
The decline of Holden registrations follows the industry-wide transition toward modern, imported brands like BYD and Chery. This shift reflects the broader evolution of the Australian car market as legacy domestic brands are replaced by international competitors.
Drivers of Holden vehicles should anticipate increasing difficulty in sourcing specific body parts as the total fleet size continues to shrink annually. Maintenance costs may rise as the vehicle population declines and aftermarket support shifts toward newer, active brands.
The takeaway
The shrinking Holden fleet serves as a reminder for owners to prioritise preventative maintenance to keep older vehicles roadworthy. As the number of these cars on the road drops, maintaining your vehicle now may prove more valuable for its long-term reliability.
Further reading
For more on the composition of the national fleet, see the Car Types section.
More information
Review the latest data in the Road vehicles Australia report on the official government portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Drive.
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