Import levels fluctuate

There were 5,693 used passenger vehicles imported last month, which was down 18.9 per cent from November 2024 when 7,024 units crossed our borders.

However, the latest tally represented an increase of 4.2 per cent from October when it was 5,462 units.

The year-to-date total is now 70,719. This is 13.3 per cent lower than the 81,538 achieved at the same time last year, according to figures from Customs NZ. 

Last month, 5,395 units were imported from Japan for a 94.8 per cent share of the market. Australia was next with 138 units, followed by the UK on 104, the US with 23 and Singapore on 20. 

As for used light commercials, 248 crossed the border in November to bring the year-to-date total to 2,429. 

Last month’s figure was down by 19 per cent from the 306 units imported in October and 8.3 per cent higher than the 229 in November 2024.

China second largest source

As for new passenger vehicles, some 8,480 units were brought into New Zealand last month. 

This was up 25.2 per cent from 6,771 units in November last year but 9.3 per cent lower than October’s tally of 9,352.

November’s total means 85,650 vehicles have come in so far in 2025, which is 5.8 per cent higher than the 80,989 units for the same period a year ago.

Japan was the main country of export with 4,202 units, followed by China with 1,772, Thailand on 802, India with 436 and South Korea on 345.

For new light commercials, there were 1,013 units imported in November, which was 29.7 per cent lower than the 1,440 achieved a year ago.

It was also down 52.2 per cent from 2,118 units in October this year. The year-to-date total now stands at 23,622 units.

Overall, 15,818 vehicles, including trucks and buses, crossed our border in November. This was down from 17,619 in the previous month.