New Zealand LV Sales Up Double Digits in August

New Zealand’s new-vehicle market continues to defy general economic indicators with sales in August up 10% year-on-year to 11,192 units and the 8-month total ahead 5% at 87,105.

“Given the year-to-date sales position it is likely the industry will break the 130,000-unit barrier in 2015 for the first time ever,” Motor Industry Assn. President John Manley says in a statement.

Toyota remained the overall market leader in August with 2,302 deliveries for a 21% market share. Ford followed with 1,226 units, ahead of GM Holden with 1,016.

Year-to-date, Toyota (15,856), GM Holden (8,930) and Ford (8,706) remained the overall market leaders.

New-car sales had their strongest August since 1986, jumping 9.4% year-on-year to 7,752 units. Toyota (1,512), Mazda (743) and GM Holden (721) led the segment.

Toyota led the segment year-to-date with 10,423 deliveries, ahead of GM Holden (6,420) and Mazda (5,580).

The Toyota Corolla moved back to the top of the August sales rankings with 621 units, followed by the Toyota RAV4 (269) and Mazda3 (240).

New commercial-vehicle sales rose 10.8% in August to 3,440 units, paced by Ford (813), Toyota (790) and GM Holden (295).

The Ford Ranger remained the monthly top-selling CV with 735 deliveries, well ahead of the Toyota Hilux (543) and GM Holden’s Colorado (285). Year-to-date, the Ranger had a 16% market share with 4,228 deliveries, followed by the Hilux (3,572) and Colorado (2,391).

MIA data shows SUVs remained the dominant vehicle segment nationally with a 34% market share in August and 33% year-to-date. The pickup/chassis-cab segment took 22% for the month and 21% year-to-date. The small-passenger-vehicle segment ranked third with a 15% share for the month and 14% for the year thus far.