New Zealand Market May Be Headed for Record Year

The New Zealand auto industry is eyeing the country’s all-time annual sales record after marking its strongest September result ever in moving 11,840 vehicles.

Motor Industry Assn. CEO David Crawford says it was the strongest September result since the MIA started collecting records in 1975.

“Healthy economic confidence combined with competitive pricing is fueling strong demand for new vehicles,” Crawford says in a statement. “If sales keep at this level, it could (surpass) 124,000 new registrations for 2014, exceeding the previous best year of 123,247 new registrations in 1984.”

Passenger-vehicle sales rose 15.3% to 8,382 units for the best September result since 1986, while commercial-vehicle deliveries jumped 23.5% to 3,458 for the best result on record.

Year-to-date passenger-vehicle sales are up 10.3% to 66,789 units, while CV sales are ahead 21.5% to 27,650.

Toyota was the September market leader with 2,321 units for a 20% market share, ahead of GM Holden with 1,349 (11%) and Ford with 1,151 (10%).

The Toyota Corolla was the top-selling model in September with 629 units, followed by the Ford Ranger (595) and Toyota Hilux (526).

Toyota was the car market leader for the month with a 19% share (1,582 units). GM Holden held 12% of the sector (1,044) and Mazda controlled 8% (671). Toyota also was the CV leader with a 21% share (739 units), ahead of Ford at 19% (672) and GM Holden at 9% (305).

The Ford Ranger retained its position as the month’s top-selling CV with 595 units for a 17% share. The Toyota Hilux held a 15% share (526).

The MIA says SUVs continue to be the strongest-selling segment with 28% of all vehicles delivered in September.