Sales spike after end of ‘ute tax’

There was a major jump in registrations of new commercial vehicles in January following the abolition of the clean car discount on December 31.

Last month’s total came in at 4,526, which was an increase of 41.6 per cent compared to 3,197 in January 2023.

Used-imported commercials jumped by a bigger proportion over the same timescale – by 71.8 per cent from 400 to 687. 

The Ford Ranger topped the ladder with 1,471 – up from 794 for a year-on-year increase of 85.3 per cent. Toyota’s Hilux, pictured, was second albeit on the back of a 17.5 per cent decrease from 798 to 658.

Mitsubishi’s Triton came third last month on 330 for a rise of 6.1 per cent from 311 in January last year. Toyota’s Hiace notched up 256 units for a 62 per cent increase from 158, while Isuzu’s D-Max claimed fifth with a 161.7 per cent increase to 246 from 94. There were 178 Nissan Navaras registered in January – up by 78 per cent when compared to the same month last year. 

The top 10 was completed by the Ford Transit on 132 – up 37.5 per cent, Fiat’s Ducato with 125 – up 468.2 per cent, the Volkswagen Amarok on 124 – up 853.8 per cent and Hyundai’s Staria Load with 75 registrations – up by 120.6 per cent.

Ford was January’s top marque for new commercials on the back of an 80.1 increase from 890 in January 2023 to 1,603 last month. Toyota was second with 954 – down from 986 and by 3.2 per cent. Isuzu came third with 337, which was a 104.2 per cent jump from 165. Mitsubishi was fourth with 330 – up by 4.4 per cent, while Nissan came fifth on 178 – up by 78 per cent.

In the used-imported commercials market, Toyota’s Hiace led the way with 136.3 per cent increase in first-time registrations years on year – from 113 to 267. Nissan’s NV350 came second with 101 – up by 62.9 per cent, and the Toyota Regius was third with 37 – up 85 per cent. Toyota was the top marque on 350 – up by 120.1 per cent.