New Zealand Market Notches Another Record in April

New Zealand’s April new-vehicle sales set yet another record, even though the result was hampered by supply restraints.

The Motor Industry Assn. data shows deliveries rose 7% to 10,635 units in the month.

MIA CEO David Crawford says the robust growth in the new-vehicle sector continues to perform above market expectations.

“Monthly registrations of 10,635 vehicles were the strongest…April on record and only the second time since the MIA began collecting data that the month of April has surpassed 10,000 units, the other time was way back in 1982,” Crawford says in a statement.

“It could have been even greater if it were not for supply constraints faced by some distributors.”

Year-to-date volume is up 13% to 50,059 units.

Car and SUV sales edged up 3.0% during the month to 6,996 units, while commercial-vehicle deliveries soared 15.5% to an April-record 3,639 units.

Toyota continued its market dominance with 1,771 units sold for a 17% market share in the month. Ford followed with 1,267 units (12%), ahead of GM Holden with 865 (8%).

Toyota led the car and SUV segment with 961 units (14%), followed by Mazda with 710 (10%) and Hyundai with 562 (8%). The Mazda CX-5 was the best-selling model in the segment on 264 units, ahead of the Kia Sportage (250) and the Toyota RAV4 (237).

In the CV sector, Toyota sold 810 units for a 22% share, followed by Ford with 768 (21%) and Holden a lap behind with 322 (9%).

The month saw the Ford Ranger retain its crown as the country’s best-selling vehicle with 698 units followed by the Toyota HiLux (571) and the Holden Colorado (312).

The Medium SUV segment topped the April market with a 16% share, followed by Pickup/Chassis Cab 4x4 with 15%, the Large SUV sector with 12%, the Compact SUV segment with 12%, and the Pickup/Chassis Cab 4x2 with 10%.

Meanwhile, with the Kiwi market booming, China’s top-selling SUV manufacturer, Haval, says it will enter the market in August.

“The SUV market continues to grow in New Zealand and we are confident the Haval range can be a key player here,” Haval New Zealand Chief Marketing Officer Tim Smith says in a statement.

Smith says Haval will launch with the compact H2 and medium-sized H6 models. The all-new 7-seat H7 will follow shortly after.