April New Zealand’s Best LV Sales Month Since 1989

New Zealand’s new-vehicle sales continued at a record pace in April with commercial-vehicle deliveries leading the way.

The Motor Industry Assn. says last month’s CV sales of 2,915 units gave the industry its strongest April on record. Combined with 6,375 new-car sales, the New Zealand market rose 6% to 9,290 units for its strongest month since 1989.

CEO David Crawford, saying the market shows no signs of slowing down, puts the year-to-date total up 7% to 42,545 units.

The 4-month car tally was at 30,482 units, while the CV sector was ahead 13.6% at a record 12,063.

Toyota continued its New Zealand dominance, delivering 1,414 units in April for a 15% share. Ford followed with 1,075 units (12%), ahead of Holden on 839 (9%).

Toyota topped car sales in April with 794 units, ahead of Mazda (598) and Hyundai (587). The Toyota Corolla was the top-selling passenger vehicle in April at 268. The Suzuki Swift sold 233 units to the Hyundai IX35’s 194.

April’s CV market also was led by Toyota with a 21% market share on 620 deliveries, ahead of Ford with 19% (566) and Nissan with 12% (347).

The Ford Ranger regained the monthly top-selling CV title in April with 487 units followed by the Toyota Hilux (401) and Nissan Navara (347). The three CVs led the overall market in sales last month.

Year-to-date, the Ranger was the top-selling CV model with a 15% market share on 1,797 deliveries, ahead of the Hilux (1,699).

Crawford says the SUV segment remains dominant, reflecting international trends, with a 31% market share for April, followed by pickups/chassis-cabs with a 22% share and light passenger cars, 15%.

“Sales of luxury vehicles is lightly up on this time last year,” he says. “New registrations of 2,577 units year-to-date for Audi, BMW, Land Rover, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz are up 2% (43 units) for the same period in 2014.”