New-vehicle sales bounce back

The Motor Industry Association (MIA) reports sales of new vehicles during September made a strong rebound as the country moved down Covid-19 alert levels.

Despite Auckland remaining in level three, there were 16,518 vehicles sold compared to 10,902 in September 2020, an increase of 51.5 per cent, or 5,616 units.

David Crawford, chief executive, says it was the second strongest month of sales since the MIA began keeping records.

“New vehicle distributors have worked hard under trying circumstances to supply orders,” he adds. “The result is remarkable given Auckland was at alert level three for the month.” 

Year to date there have been 123,016 vehicles sold compared to 87,474 to end of September 2020. This is an increase of 40.6 per cent or 35,542 units. 

September’s top model was the Ford Ranger on 1,408 units, followed by the Tesla Model 3 on 1,066 and the Mitsubishi Outlander with 963.

Crawford notes it is the first time a battery electric vehicle (BEV) has made it into the top three models in any month.

“It was an exceptionally strong month for vehicles with some form of electrification in their drive train, making up 21 per cent of total sales, or 3,505 units.”

Toyota was again the leader on the monthly marques ladder for new car and commercial sales combined with a market share of 18 per cent and 2,934 units. Next up was Mitsubishi on 13 per cent and 2,176 sales, Mitsubishi with 11 per cent and 1,870 units, and Tesla was in fourth spot with a six per cent share and 1,066 units.

Crawford says there were 1,512 light and heavy BEVs, 537 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and 1,456 hybrid vehicles registered in September. 

“This is the first time there were more fully electric vehicles registered in a month than non-plug-in hybrid vehicles.” 

The BEV sector included re were 1,505 light vehicle and seven heavy vehicles, with the top sellers being the Tesla Model 3 on 1,066 units, the MG ZS with 122, and the Hyundai Kona on 84. 

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross led the way for PHEVs with 282 units, followed by the Mitsubishi Outlander on 115 sales and the MG HS with 47.  

Hybrid registrations totalled 1,456 vehicles in September, with the top-sellers all Toyotas. The RAV4 was in front on 466 units, the Corolla with 247, and the Yaris Cross on 117. 

Toyota retained the market lead for passenger and SUV registrations with a 17 per cent market share, or 1,993 units. Mitsubishi was second on 16 per cent and 1,920 sales, followed by

Tesla with nine per cent and 1,066 units. 

Commercial sales

Ford stayed top in the commercials market lead with a 32 per cent market share thanks to 1,503 sales. It was followed by Toyota with 20 per cent and 941 registrations, with Mitsubishi third with seven per cent and 256 units.

The Ford Ranger retained number-one top spot for models in September with a 30 per cent share of the market after selling 1,408 units.

Toyota took out the next two spots with the Hilux on 14 per cent and 648 registrations, and the Hiace in third with six per cent and 232 sales. 

As for segments, compact SUVs led the way in September with a 22 per cent share of the market. Medium SUVS were second on 19 per cent and the pick-up/chassis 4WD category placed third with 14 per cent.