New Zealand Market Gets Boost From CV Sales

An annual 3-day get together of New Zealand farmers and equipment manufacturers helped the auto industry deliver its strongest June since 1982 and second-highest month on record, the Motor Industry Assn. says.

CEO David Crawford says the new-vehicle market continues to perform beyond expectations, with June sales of 13,699 units taking the year-to-date total up 5.2% to 65,653 units.

“Those distributors that attended the annual National Agricultural Fieldays reported healthy demand for new vehicles,” Crawford says in a statement. “Other factors that are key drivers of new vehicles are record levels of net immigration, healthy trade sector and strong business confidence.”

The month saw 9,186 passenger-vehicle sales and a June-record 4,513 commercial-vehicle deliveries. It was only the third time more than 4,000 CVs were sold in a month.

“The previous two times were also in June off the back of Fieldays – 4,002 in 2014 and 4,009 in 2015,” Crawford says.

Toyota remained the overall market leader for the month with 2,666 units for a 19% share, ahead of Ford (1,478) and Holden (1,274).

Toyota continued as the car sales leader as well, with 1,569 units, followed by Holden (843) and Mazda (842). Toyota regained the CV market lead from Ford with 1,097 units, as Ford delivered 882 and Holden, 431.

Reflecting the increasing popularity of SUVs, the Toyota Highlander topped passenger-vehicle sales with 414 units, followed by the smaller Toyota RAV4 (396) and Kia Sportage (316).

The Ford Ranger retained its position as the monthly top-selling CV in June with 836 units and was also the top-selling model overall for the month. The Toyota Hilux trailed with 811 units, ahead of Holden Colorado at 410.

Crawford says the top four models for June were all light CVs, reflecting continued strong demand for 4x2 and 4x4 pickups. The SUV segments accounted for 36% of June sales, followed by the pickup/chassis sector with 25%.

With the year half over, Toyota dominates the New Zealand market with 11,583 units for a 17% market share. Ford follows with 8,230 units, ahead of Holden (6,212) and Mazda (5,434).

Toyota tops 6-month passenger-vehicle sales with 6,968 units, Mazda moves up to second with a volume of 4,572, ahead of Holden on 4,323 units.

The CV segment also has Toyota on top at the halfway stage with 4,615 units, ahead of Ford (4,386) and Holden (1,889).

The Ford Ranger retained its lead as the top selling CV model year-to-date with 4,000 units, ahead of Hilux with 3,263.