Mixed electric results
Electrified vehicles are continuing to support passenger market growth although monthly results highlight fluctuating demand, reports the Motor Industry Association (MIA).
Last month, battery electric passenger registrations increased by 194.4 per cent year on year to 1,481 and plug-in hybrids rose by 188.4 per cent to 1,445. Together, they accounted for 24.7 per cent of passenger registrations compared with 9.4 per cent in October 2025.
Despite strong annual growth, fully electric vehicles accounted for about 10 per cent of total market registrations in October, down from 15.3 per cent in September and 16.6 per cent in July.
Aimee Wiley, chief executive of the MIA, says: “The growth in electrified vehicle registrations is significant, but monthly results demonstrate the transition is not occurring at a consistent pace.”
GWM’s Ora, pictured, was October’s best-selling BEV with 112 units and the Toyota RAV4 topped the PHEVs ladder thanks to 439 sales.
The country’s overall new-vehicle market recorded a positive result last month with 15,118 units registered for an increase of 6.3 per cent compared with October 2025.
Passenger registrations rose by 10.6 per cent to 11,833. Light commercials declined 2.6 per cent to 2,805 vehicles and heavy vehicles fell by one-quarter to 480. Year to date, total registrations reached 127,342, up by 10.7 per cent.
Wiley says October’s results reinforce the uneven nature of the market recovery. “The overall market continues to perform ahead of last year, but growth remains concentrated in passenger vehicles.
“Commercial registrations remain subdued, suggesting businesses are continuing to take a cautious approach to capital investment.”
Passenger vehicle growth was largely driven by private and rental buyers. Private registrations climbed by 17.4 per cent year on year to 3,526 while rentals rose by 12.9 per cent to 4,868 to account for 41.1 per cent. Business sales rose by just 2.8 per cent, reinforcing the different purchasing conditions across buyer groups.
Year to date, private registrations are 20 per cent ahead of 2025, while rentals have increased 24.6 per cent.
Commercial registrations remained “subdued in October, continuing the divergence between passenger and business-related demand”.
Wiley adds: “Commercial vehicle purchasing is closely linked to business confidence and investment intentions. The continued weakness in registrations suggests businesses remain cautious about committing to major capital expenditure.
New Zealand’s economic recovery remains uneven, reports the MIA. Improving employment, residential building activity and international tourism are providing some support, while household spending and business investment remain constrained.
Elevated fuel prices, persistent inflation pressures and a weaker New Zealand dollar are creating competing influences on vehicle demand. “A sustained recovery in household confidence and business investment will be important to supporting growth across the wider industry.”
