Huge year for used imports

The number of used passenger vehicles imported into New Zealand last year outstripped 2012’s total by 34,447 – 107,284 crossed the border in 2013 compared to 72,837 the year before. David Vinsen, chief executive of the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association, told Autofile Online that 2013 had gone very well for the trade and was better than expected with more than 100,000-unit barrier breached. As well as the effects of the exhaust emissions rule being strong in 2012, he says last year also saw much more consumer confidence return to this country. “Used imports have been assisted by the strong exchange rate and the supply side hasn’t been that bad,” says Vinsen. “I believe 2014 will be stronger because of increased confidence and no political interventions on the horizon.” The total for 2013 included 100,784 used imports from Japan, which was up from 67,442 in 2012. The UK came second with 2,908 units last year compared to 2,730 the year before, while used imports from Australia jumped from 1,199 to 1,990. The total of used imports arriving from the US last year came in at 1,205 compared to 976 in 2012, while the figures for Singapore were 154 in 2012 and 146 in 2013. December recorded the fifth highest total of the year with 10,067 used imports, compared to 2013’s high of 11,184 in November and the year’s low of 4,468 in January.