Imports drop across the board

In terms of the light commercial market, 467 used and 2,953 new commercial vehicles arrived in New Zealand last month – these imports were also down compared to the same month last year, by 10.5 per cent and 18.1 per cent, respectively. Regarding year to date statistics, three of the four markets recorded a decrease. Used passenger vehicles registered a 29.77 per cent (13,086 units) fall compared to the same period in 2017. Used light commercials registered a 27.15 per cent (515 units) decrease, and new light commercials registered a 6.45 per cent drop (553 units). Importers brought in 10,154 used cars from Japan – a huge 44.9 per cent decrease compared to March 2017. There was also a fall in used car imports from both Australia and the UK compared with the same month last year – a decrease of 37.9 per cent 60.6 per cent, respectively.