The best selling motor vehicle in 1954 in Australia was not a local model, but an imported one from the United States. According to motor vehicle statistics, the Chevrolet Bel Air was the sales leader for that year with 17,013 more registrations than its closest rival, the Ford Customline. The Bel Air was a "reskinned" version of the previous year's model, with a sleeker and more modern design, and a range of body styles, including a sedan, a coupe, a convertible and a station wagon.
The Bel Air dominated the family car market in Australia, as well as in its home country, where it was also the best seller. The Bel Air was powered by a 3.9-litre inline-six engine or a 4.3-liter V8 engine, both paired with a three-speed manual or automatic transmission. The Bel Air offered features such as power steering, power brakes, electric windows and air conditioning as options. The price range of the Bel Air in 1954 was between $1,700 and $2,300 in the US market, and approx $3,000 in the Australian market.
The Bel Air faced competition from other imported models, mainly from Europe, as well as from the local Holden FJ, which was introduced in 1953. The FJ added a panel van to its sedan and coupe utility lineup, and featured minor cosmetic changes such as a new grille and chrome trim. The FJ was popular among Australian buyers, who appreciated its reliability, affordability and suitability for the local conditions. The FJ was powered by a 2.2-litre inline-six engine and a three-speed manual transmission.
The Australian car market in 1954 was diverse and dynamic, with many brands and models competing for customers' attention. Some of the best selling motor vehicles in 1954 in Australia were the Volkswagen Type 1 (the Beetle), the Morris Minor, the Ford Prefect and Consul, the Austin A40, the Hillman Minx and the Triumph Mayflower. These were mostly small four-cylinder vehicles that offered economy and practicality. Some of them were fully imported from their countries of origin, while others were assembled locally from parts shipped from overseas. The Australian car industry was still developing and expanding, with new investments, facilities and products being planned by various manufacturers.