In Australia, SUVs are More Popular Than Babies!

Looks like Australians love their SUVs more than they love their babies.

During 2016, Australia saw a new baby born every 1 minute and 41 seconds, however, a new SUV was sold every 1 minute and 10 seconds; which means for the first time ever, SUVs have outstripped sedan sales in car mad Australia.

Ten years ago, SUVs represented only 20 percent of the Australian market with 171,000 utility vehicles sold, as V8-motivated sleds like the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon ruled Australian roads. But at the end of 2016, Australians had gobbled up 441,000 SUVs, effectively tripling the size of the segment and accounting for almost 40 percent of all cars sold down under.

“SUVs are more popular than ever and the segment just keeps on growing,” said Holden’s Director of Communications, Sean Poppitt.

As a result, Holden is importing two new nameplates well known to North Americans, the Equinox and the Acadia.

SEE ALSO: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Review

“Where once SUVs were seen as just the typical ‘soccer mum’ car, or for Outback off-road adventures only, that’s no longer the case,” Poppitt added.

“We’ve already got the stylish small SUV, Trax and the capable and rugged, seven-seat 4×4 Trailblazer, and soon they’ll be joined by the high-tech Equinox and the luxurious, Acadia. The Acadia, in particular, will add some real American swagger to the Holden showroom.

“Equinox and Acadia are game-changers for Holden and the segment. Not only do they boast high-tech features like wireless phone charging, heated and cooled seats and the ability to park themselves, they’re also great to drive and look the goods, too.”

Holden is desperate for the new SUVs to find success with Australians as the brand was down a devastating 18.5 percent in June 2017 compared to the same time a year ago. Paradoxically, as the Australian birth rate declines so does the ostensible need for large and in charge people movers.

Australians can get their hands on the new Equinox in December 2017, while the Acadia won’t arrive until 2018, giving Aussies plenty of time to get busy, down under.