--- title: "Australia Seeks to Make National Parking Space Size Bigger" date: "2023-11-05" modified: "2023-11-05" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/australia-seeks-to-make-national-parking-space-size-bigger" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "RAM News" tags: - "1500" - "pickup" - "ram" --- # Australia Seeks to Make National Parking Space Size Bigger ![]() *Ram* Australia wants to make its national parking space size bigger, extending its length by almost eight inches. Standards Australia, the non-governing organization that develops measurement and construction code standards, is recommending the parking space increase, due to the increase of average vehicle length in Australia, according to the *[New York Times]()*. But is it America's fault? Several [Australian news outlets ]()were quick to blame the increase in American pickup truck sales in Australia as the reason for this new parking space increase. "First, they forced us to do Halloween, then they made us listen to Kid Rock," said *[The Project]()* in a recent Facebook video. "Now the Americans are coming for our roads, hogging them up with their obnoxious, grand old trucks." American pickups are indeed selling in greater numbers than ever before in Australia. In the first half of 2023, 3,697 Australians purchased themselves a [Ram]() 1500 pickup, according to[ *Car Expert*](). The [Chevy Silverado]() and its HD variant found a combined 1,568 Australian homes. Those are all record sales for American pickups, so there is some truth to the aforementioned claims that U.S.-made trucks are adding to the increase in overall vehicle length. However, it's only a smidgen of truth. ![]() **Toyota** The real truth is that the Ram 1500, the best-selling full-sized American pickup in Australia, barely cracked the top-ten list of Australian truck sales for the first half of 2023. Compact pickups, such as the [Ford Ranger ]()and Toyota Hilux, still absolutely dominate Australian roads, with 23,620 Rangers and 21,808 Hiluxes being sold from January to June. So American pickups have only contributed a small percentage of overall vehicle length increase. Additionally, vehicle lengths across the entire industry are significantly larger than what they were when Australian parking spot sizes were last reviewed back in 2004. The 2004 Toyota Hilux—which is perennially one of Australia's best-selling vehicles—was 186 inches long. The current 2023 Toyota Hilux is 207 inches long. Not only are vehicles becoming larger but more customers want larger vehicles than ever before. "Back in 2004 when we last reviewed the standard, about 13% of our national vehicle fleet was an SUV. It’s now about 40%. As our cars have changed, we also need to consider our car parks, ” said [Standards Australia]() General Manager of Engagement and Communications, Adam Stingemore. This isn't a uniquely Australian, or even American, issue. While the U.S. is the largest market for SUVs, sales of larger vehicles are up across the globe. It might be fun to pin Australia's increase in vehicle size on the U.S., as no one does big trucks like America, but the data doesn't back it up. Cars are getting bigger across the board and parking sizes might need to increase accordingly. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()