New vehicle sales drop in June
The number of new vehicles registered in New Zealand last month was down by 8.2 per cent – or 1,313 units – compared to June 2017, but it was still the second strongest-ever June.
The Motor Industry Association (MIA) reports there were 15,172 units registered last month, which means the year-to date total is marginally up by 0.5 per cent, or by 428 units, compared to the first six months of 2017.
Four of June’s top-five models were light commercials. The Ford Ranger, pictured above, retained its position as best-selling new vehicle with 1,049 units. It was followed by Toyota’s RAV4 on 678 units and the Hilux with 646 registrations.
Sales of 9,725 passenger cars and SUVs in June were down by 456 units on June 2017 for a drop of 4.5 per cent, while registrations of 5,447 commercial vehicles were also down by 357 units, or 6.2 per cent.
Toyota retained the position of overall market leader with a 16 per cent share of the market and 2,458 units. It was followed by Ford with 11 per cent and 1,629 units, and Holden with eight per cent and 1,276 units.
Toyota regained the market lead for passenger and SUV registrations last month with 22 per cent market share and 1,558 units. It was followed by Mazda with nine per cent and 862 registrations, and Hyundai with eight per cent and 823 units.
In the commercial sector, Ford retained the market lead with 22 per cent market share and 1,186 units. Next up was Toyota with 17 per cent and 900 units. Holden came third with 11 per cent thanks to 581 sales.
The medium SUV segment came in as the top segment in June with 18 per cent market share. It was closely followed by the pick-up and chassis cab 4x4 segment on 17 per cent, while compact SUVs accounted for 13 per cent.
David Crawford, the MIA’s chief executive officer, says: “We have received many inquiries on whether higher fuel prices have resulted in people purchasing smaller vehicles or more electric vehicles. Based on results to the end of June, there appears to be a slight shift to smaller vehicles with the SUV medium and SUV compact segments coming in first and third.”
