New Zealand Sales Surge; Commercial Vehicles Impetus

New Zealand’s new-vehicle market produces its strongest sales in 29 years in July, continuing a trend seen over the last 18 months.

The best result since 1985 saw the month’s deliveries rise 10% to 10,313 units for a year-to-date total up 13% to 72,442.

The new-car market rose 4.5% year-on-year in July to 7,071 units for a 7-month total ahead 10.4% to 51,344.

Motor Industry Assn. CEO David Crawford says the commercial-vehicle segment produced the strongest July result since the group began collecting records for CVs in 1981.

CV deliveries for the month rose 23% to 3,242 units for a year-to-date market up 21.5% to 21,098.

Toyota remained the overall leader for the month with 1,655 units for a 16% market share. Ford followed with 1,210 units and a 12% share, narrowly staying ahead of Holden at 1,157 and an 11% piece of the Kiwi market.

Toyota led the passenger-car market with 1,030 deliveries, ahead of Holden at 805 and Ford with 602. Toyota also topped the CV segment with 635 units, closely followed by Ford (608) and Holden a distant third (352).

The Toyota Corolla again was the top-selling passenger model with 428 copies sold, followed by the Holden Commodore with 304 and the Honda Jazz on 302.

The Ford Ranger regained its position as top-selling CV model for July with 537 deliveries, leading the Toyota Hilux (411) and Nissan Navara (332).

Year-to-date the Hilux narrowly led the CV market with 3,326 units, just ahead of the Ranger with 3,294.

MISA data shows sales of SUVs continue to be the strongest-selling segment with 28% of all vehicle deliveries, followed by pickup trucks/chassis-cabs with 23%. Small passenger cars accounted for 16% of the market so far this year.