Dealer numbers drop

The number of dealers in New Zealand fell by 17 last month and stood at 2,906 at the end of March, according to figures from the Motor Vehicle Traders Register (MVTR).

The drop follows the total jumping to a 14-month high of 2,923 in February.

However, March’s figure did represent an increase of 31 traders from the same month last year when there were 2,875 dealers on the register. 

Since reaching a peak of 3,536 in November 2017, the number of dealers has largely been in decline and has not managed to surpass the 3,000-mark since August 2022.

The MVTR holds essential information about registered traders and their businesses. It is operated by Occupational Regulation, which is part of the market integrity branch of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.