Boost for used imports

The amount of used passenger vehicles jumped by 28.6 per cent last month compared to January 2018.

Some 13,479 used cars crossed the border for a bumper start to 2019 – 3,000 more than in the same month of last year. The total was also up by 8.3 per cent compared to December.

The number of units coming in from Japan increased by 32.8 per cent to 12,856, while there was a 35.9 per cent decrease from Australia to 279. Third spot went to Singapore with 142 units – up by 7.6 per cent.

Used commercials on the up

There was a substantial increase in used light commercials crossing the border last month. The total jumped by 13.8 per cent to 561 units when compared to January 2018. That was a difference of 68 units.

Most of those imports – 618 – came from Japan. There were 14 from Australia and 11 from the UK. Last month’s total was up by 20.9 per cent compared to December.

New passenger vehicles down

The number of new cars imported during January was 7,462. When compared to January 2018’s total of 8,086 that was a decrease of 624 units – or 7.7 per cent. Last month’s total was a 19.9 per cent drop on December’s.

Japan topped the ladder with 3,303 units. It was followed by South Korea on 1,281 and Thailand on 581.

Decrease in new light commercials

There was also a decrease in new light commercials crossing the border last month. The total was 2,416, which was down by 0.6 per cent – or 15 units – compared to January 2018.

Thailand accounted for most of them with 1,911. Some 343 units were imported from China and 224 from Japan. January’s overall total represented a 15.4 per cent drop compared to December’s