Used imported commercials steady

Used imported commercial vehicle sales have eased slightly from last month, down 3.5 per cent to 1,089 vehicles; however they are up a healthy 16.8 per cent compared to July 2016, when 932 units were registered. Year to date, 7,451 used imported commercial vehicles have been sold, up 27.7 per cent compared to the first seven months of 2016, when 5,837 units were registered. Toyota dominated the market, with 530 vehicles sold, a 21 per cent increase compared to July last year, taking out a 48.7 per cent market share for the month. They were followed by Nissan on 233 sales, down 0.4 per cent but claiming a 21.4 per cent market share. Distant third was Mazda with 68 sales in July, a 19.3 per cent increase on the same month last year and a monthly market share of  6.2 per cent. The Toyota Hiace continued to be the commercial vehicle of choice in July, with year-on-year sales up 29.7 per cent on last July to 419 vehicles, which was 38.5 per cent of the total market share for July in this segment. Sales fell 22.8 per cent for the Nissan Caravan, but it remained in second place with 71 units sold. The Mazda Bongo completed the top three models with sales up 25.5 per cent and 59 vehicles registered. Numerous regions around the country saw a large increase in sales percentages but with low overall numbers, including Gisborne and Masterton, which were both up 600 per cent to seven sales, from one last year, and Westport, up 200 per cent to three sales. Among the larger centres, Dunedin had highest sales growth, up 176 per cent, or 30 units, to 47 sales.