Vehicle sales success still surprising industry

Media Release 5 December 2013


Vehicle sales success still surprising industry

New Zealand’s motor industry continues to surprise itself – with sales in many segments on track to reach levels not seen for some time.

MTA spokesperson Ian Stronach says “While the winners are shifting around a little bit each month, there are overall gains across virtually every sector. The fact that new and used imports are both recording very solid improvement, gives reason to be optimistic about the months ahead.”

Sales of 9,360 used import cars meant November was the second best month for the year so far. Sales were ahead of November 2012 by 2,177 units (30 percent). Year-to-date (YTD) sales are up 18,245 units (26 percent): 2013 will be the strongest year for used imported car sales since 2007.

Kiwis are favouring smaller four-cylindered cars as used imports; the most popular individual model was again Nissan Tiida, with sales of 638 units, followed by Mazda Demio with sales of 480 units and Suzuki Swift with 385 units.

Used import commercial vehicles followed suit, recording their second best month for the year as well. Sales of 621 units were 287 units (86 percent) ahead of November 2012. YTD, used import commercial sales are up 2,344 units (74 percent): 2013 will be the strongest year for used import commercial vehicles since 2008.

New car sales of 7,453 units were up 969 units (15 percent) compared to November 2012. YTD, new car sales are now ahead of 2012 by 5,293 units (7 percent). Based on traditional December sales levels over recent years, they and could well achieve their best result since 1984.

Toyota Corolla maintained its dominant position as New Zealand’s best selling passenger car, with its 626 units sold – more than double that of its nearest rivals, Toyota RAV4 (289 units) and Holden Commodore (260 units).

Sales of new commercial vehicles continued to forge ahead as they have all year. The 2,935 units sold were 838 units (40 percent) up over November 2012. YTD, new commercial vehicle sales are up a stunning 6,181 units (28 percent), and look set for their best year in more than 30 years.

Fighting back in November to be the top selling new commercial model, and New Zealand’s most popular new model overall, was Toyota Hilux (585 units). This was followed by Ford Ranger (482 units) and Holden Colorado (255 units).

Commercial vehicles continue to enjoy strong sales at both a new and used import level. “There is no doubt many sectors of the economy are now sufficiently optimistic to invest in new plant and machinery. Trucks are a key component for many businesses, so the resurgence being seen in this market is reflecting the growing sense of overall recovery that’s been talked about for some time,” Stronach says.

Capping off a great month for the industry was on-road motorcycles, which with 704 sales recorded its best month of the year. Sales were 92 units (14 percent) ahead of November 2012 and for YTD, sales are now ahead of last year by 1,066 units (20 percent). Suzuki kept its hold on top spot with sales of 152 units, followed by Honda with 83 units and Harley Davidson with 77 units.

ENDS

used_import_passenger_registrations.pdf
used_commercial_registrations.pdf
New_Passenger_Registrations.pdf
new_commercial_registrations.pdf
motorcycle_registrations.pdf

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