Media Release
4 October 2006
New vehicle market maintains strength in September
The new car market continued at near-record levels in September. 7422 new cars were registered making September the
strongest month this year. It was a 10.2% lift on August and just 1% behind the peak reached in September 2005.
Commercial vehicle sales at 1924 fell 16% behind the seasonal peak, reflecting the softening economy.
In contrast to the continuing strength of the new vehicle market, used imports were again well down on previous years’
levels and are now down 17.8% against 2005 on a year to date basis.
“There’s a fundamental shift towards newer vehicles taking place,” said Perry Kerr, CEO of the Motor Industry
Association. “Buyers are becoming increasingly aware of the value represented by new cars as well as late model New
Zealand-new used cars.”
Ford and Toyota are now running neck and neck in the new car sales battle after Ford taking top honours for the last
three months, but Toyota remains well in front for total vehicles thanks to their dominance in commercials.
Commodore surged to a huge lead in the individual model stakes in September, increasing the year to date lead over
Falcon
Sheet 1: Top fifteen distributors, full year 2005, month of September and YTD 2006, total vehicles, new cars, new
commercials.
Sheet 2: Top fifteen sellers by model, full year 2005, month of September and YTD 2006, top ten rental cars
August 2006.
ENDS
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