Automotive sales fall $55m
Sales volumes for motor vehicles and parts retailing fell by $55 million, or 1.5 per cent, in the December quarter, when compared with the previous three-month period, according to new figures from Stats NZ.
The industry’s total came in at $3.5 billion for the latest quarter, up from $3.46b during the same period a year ago, but down from $3.56b in the September 2024 quarter.
The data also shows seasonally adjusted sales values for the industry during the December quarter rose by $7m, or 0.2 per cent, from the September quarter and stood at $3.88b.
However, the value of stock for motor vehicles and parts recorded the largest decrease across the industries studied and fell in actual terms by $77m, or 3.6 per cent, from the same quarter a year ago.
This meant the value of stock held by the automotive trade stood at $2.07b at the end of December, compared with $2.15b in the corresponding period of 2024.
The shift in automotive sales volumes and values came as the total volume of retail sales in New Zealand increased by 0.9 per cent to $24.72b in the December 2024 quarter.
Ten of the 15 retail industries had higher retail sales volumes in the three months, compared with the September 2024 quarter, after adjusting for price inflation and seasonal effects.
