Big gains for used imports
There were 9,205 used passenger vehicles imported into New Zealand during October, which was up by 81.8 per cent from 5,064 in the same month a year ago.
It took the year-to-date total to 99,069, an increase of 30.9 per cent from the 75,705 units at the same stage of 2022.
Last month’s total included 8,950 cars arriving from Japan, which claimed a market share of 97.2 per cent, according to the figures from Customs NZ.
Next up in October was Australia with 165 units and 1.8 per cent of the monthly total. The US claimed third place with 29 and was followed by the UK on 25 and Singapore with 18.
The latest monthly figure was down by 23.8 per cent from the 12,075 used cars imported in September this year.
As for used light commercials, there were 443 imports in October. This was up by 67.8 per cent from 264 units a year ago and an increase of 6.2 per cent from the 417 imported in September.
The year-to-date total at the end of last month hit 3,734 units, which was 17.3 per cent, or 552 vehicles, more than the figure achieved during the same period of 2022.
New imports
There were 10,778 new passenger vehicles imported in October, which represented a 10.3 per cent drop from the 12,011 units in the same month of last year.
However, last month’s figure was up by 2.6 per cent from September when 10,506 new cars crossed our borders.
Japan was the top source of new vehicles, accounting for 6,351 units, with Thailand second on 1,059. China, South Korea and Belgium were next on the list with 808, 716 and 698 units, respectively.
The year-to-date figure of 84,568 is 10.2 per cent lower than the 94,214 recorded at the same stage of last year.
For new light commercials, there were 2,704 units imported last month. This number was down by 41.3 per cent from the 4,610 seen in October 2022, but was up 72.8 per cent when compared to September’s 1,565 units.
The sector’s year-to-date tally stood at 22,516 at the end of October, which was 19.7 per cent lower than the 28,042 units imported at the same stage a year ago.
Overall, 25,736 vehicles, including trucks and buses, crossed our border in October, which was up from 25,736 during the previous month. It took the year-to-date total to 215,810.
