Imports ahead of last year

There were 10,604 used passenger vehicles imported into New Zealand in March for the biggest monthly total so far in 2024.

The total was a jump of 41.6 per cent from the 7,491 units that crossed our borders in the previous month, according to the figures from Customs NZ.

It also took the year-to-date tally to 26,216 vehicles, which was 9.7 per cent higher than the 23,896 units that had been imported at the same stage of 2023.

However, March’s performance was down by 7.3 per cent when compared with the same month of last year when 11,442 used cars were imported. 

Last month’s total included 10,437 cars coming from Japan, which claimed a market share of 98.4 per cent.

Next was Australia with 105 units and a one per cent share. Singapore claimed third place with 28 and was followed by the UK on 14 and the US with 11.

New imports climb

There were 8,978 new passenger vehicles imported in March, which represented a 19.6 per cent increase from the 7,506 units in the same month of last year. 

Last month’s figure was also up by 16 per cent from February when 7,739 new cars crossed our borders.

Japan was the top source of new vehicles, accounting for 4,548 units, with South Korea second on 1,979. China, Thailand and Belgium were next on the list with 970, 762 and 180 units, respectively.

The year-to-date total has now climbed to 21,221, an increase of 6.8 per cent from the 19,872 recorded at the same stage a year ago.

Overall, 22,130 vehicles, including trucks and buses, crossed our border in March, which was up from 19,037 the previous month.