New models drive up sales figures
Sales of new vehicles by Toyota NZ exceeded the marque’s expectations in November with 2,402 passenger and light-commercial registrations.
Its sales to private buyers and fleet operators were up 21 per cent compared to the same month in 2019 excluding rentals, which were significantly hit due to Covid-19’s impact on international tourism.
Chief executive Neeraj Lala says registrations of new Toyotas last month can be attributed to several factors, including the high demand for newly introduced models across its range.
“We have launched a number of new models such as the Yaris Hatch, Yaris Cross and Hilux during a period when customers are upgrading and business confidence is returning,” he says.
Lala reports 165 deliveries of the Yaris Cross, pictured, in its first month of availability while the 2021 Hilux had 1,059 orders in November.
“It’s exciting to see our new vehicles take off so quickly. Toyota has made a real effort over the past few years to inject fun and style back into the range.
“There is also a strong demand for low carbon-emitting vehicles and we are committed to offering a hybrid variant in every range where we can.”
A hybrid powertrain is now available in the Yaris, Corolla, Camry, RAV4, C-HR and Prius. In 2021, a hybrid Highlander will be offered in New Zealand for the first time.
Lala says hybrid sales are now outselling petrol-only cars and SUVs across the brand’s range.
In the year to the end of November, hybrids accounted for 59 per cent of the marque’s passenger cars sold. SUV hybrid sales were virtually the same ratio.
“If there is a challenge with hybrids, it is securing supply for New Zealand as there is a global demand for hybrid cars and SUVs despite the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Sales of hybrid variants were just six per cent of total Toyota car sales in 2017. In 2018, it was marginally up to eight per cent.
With the brand’s SUVs, growth trajectory is more pronounced with zero hybrid sales in 2017 and 4,576, or 59 per cent, in 2020. The new RAV4 continues to sell well, says Lala, with 511 units delivered in November.
