Strong stats for July

The MTA says the surge in the market for passenger cars has been consistently building this year. Some 12,052 used imports came off the ships last month alone, while their registrations were up 25 per cent in July compared to the same month last year as the overseas-registered market builds to levels last seen in the early 2000s. “This July saw the most used imports since March 2006 with a 12 per cent jump on the month before,” says Rob MacGregor, chief executive of the MTA. “The market is still 2,825 units off setting a new overall record. In March 2004 – when the Japanese used import market was at its peak – the sector sold 14,877 units. However, that we are this close is unexpected. There will be a lot of busy dealerships across New Zealand.” Click here for our comprehensive analysis of July's vehicle sales figures.