Both new and used imports increase

There were 14,492 used cars imported into the country during July which was a 28.8 per cent increase on the same month last year when 11,249 units were imported. Year to date, 103,740 used cars have entered the country, a 16 per cent increase on the first seven months of 2016’s when 89,036 units had been imported. New cars’ boom continues with 12,591 units crossing the border last month, and gives a year-to-date tally of 67,547. Demand for light commercial vehicles saw 618 units imported last month which was a small decrease on 640 units in June. As usual the vast majority of used imported cars come from Japan with 13,640 units imported in July, a 29.5 per cent increase on the same month last year when 10,533 units were sourced from that market. Importers brought 452 used cars in from Australia, a 21.5 per cent increase on July 2016’s total of 372. Year to date, 3,437 used cars have been shipped from Australia, a 21 per cent increase on 2806 units during the same time last year. Singapore again rounded out the top three with 122 units down from 187 in June Both Britain and the United States saw a fall in the number of used cars exported with 135 and 107 units respectively compared to 151 and 112 in June.