17 January 2010

Turners Auctions sales figures for the last quarter of 2010 show that the popularity of small engine cars is once again on the rise. While sales of cars with engines between 1.3 and 2.1 litres dipped slightly between October and December, cars under 1.3 litre rose 1.1% to make up nearly 5% of Turners’ sales.

Illustrating the resurgence in popularity of smaller engine models is the emergence of the Toyota Vitz in Turners top 10 makes and models sold; this is the first time the Vitz has made the list of most popular cars sold at Turners.

These trends have led Turners to predict that sales of small cars will continue to increase during 2011, particularly as consumers feel the pinch of the rising cost of petrol.

“With petrol prices on the increase and the price of small engine vehicles representing good value for money we won’t be surprised if they become much more popular with New Zealand motorists throughout 2011,” says Todd Hunter of Turners Auctions.

Despite the shift to vehicles with a lower cc rating, Turners has also seen a 0.9% increase in cars with engines of 3 litre or larger sold, proving that for some the love affair with grunty gas guzzlers hasn’t faded despite upward trending fuel prices.

The report shows that the Kiwi love affair with Toyota is still as strong as ever. As well as the Vitz, the Toyota Camry is another new entry to Turners’ 10 most bought vehicles, and Toyota models take four of the top 10 spots.

ENDS

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