5 October 2005
New vehicle sales just keep on climbing
The New Zealand new vehicle market continued to surge in September, posting sales of 7498 new cars and 2286 new
commercial vehicles. The new car figure was 4.2% up on August and 7.0% up on September 2004, and was the biggest
September since 1987. Although new commercial vehicle sales were slightly down on August and only marginally up on
September ’04 it was the biggest September for 21 years in this seasonally sensitive segment.
Total year to date new vehicle sales have reached 78,319, with a quarter of the year still to go. This is 7.1% up on a
year ago and the first 100,000 new vehicle market since used imports started arriving in volume now looks a virtual
certainty.
“The used importers are now mainly involved in recycling short-life vehicles at the bottom end of the market, and they
are hurting,” said Perry Kerr, CEO of the Motor Industry Association. “We, representing the new vehicle industry, are
confident that we’ve regained the position as the first choice of those seeking value, safety and driving pleasure.
There are also increasing numbers of excellent, well-priced New Zealand-new used vehicles in the system to satisfy the
needs of those on a tighter budget, and this is what’s helping to drive the renewed confidence in the new vehicle
market.”
Toyota roared ahead in September, especially in commercials, to establish a commanding 1170 unit lead over Ford for the
total market year to date. Model-wise, Toyota’s Corolla trounced previous best-seller Commodore by almost 100 units for
the month, but Commodore’s still looking fairly invincible year to date.
ENDS