New-vehicle sales ‘softer’

The Motor Industry Association (MIA) says that 11,101 registrations of new vehicles for the month of July shows the market is “significantly softer” when compared with the same month of last year.

“The weak market is brought on by rising costs of living, high fuel prices, continued vehicle supply constraints and a weakening New Zealand economy,” says chief executive David Crawford.

Registrations of 8,049 passenger cars and SUVs were down by 19.4 per cent and 1,935 units on the same month last year. 

The total of 3,052 new commercials was down by 39.8 per cent, or 2,017 units, compared to July 2021 “and are likely to remain subdued in coming months due to the effect of the clean car taxes”, notes Crawford, pictured.

Overall, registrations of new vehicles were down by 26.3 per cent and 3,952 units last month compared to July 2021. Year to date, the market has now slipped below 2021 – down by 6.6 per cent and 6,547 units.

Crawford stresses: “Registrations of light commercial vehicles remain subdued following the impost of clean car discount taxes from April 1 this year.”

Market leaders

Toyota was the top marque in July with a 26 per cent share of the new-vehicle market in July thanks to 2,891 registrations. It was followed by Mitsubishi with 13 per cent and 1,411 units, and Ford with seven per cent and 754 units. 

When it comes to market share so far in 2022, Toyota has regained the lead with 17 per cent and 15,792 units. Next up is Mitsubishi on 16 per cent and 15,177 units. Ford is third with eight per cent and 7,315 units.

For car and SUV sales, Toyota topped last month’s ladder with a market share of 22 per cent and 1,770 units. It was followed by Mitsubishi with 15 per cent and 1,169 units, and Suzuki with nine per cent and 719. 

Mitsubishi has retained its market-share lead for passenger vehicles and SUVs year to date with 16 per cent and 10,194 sales. Next up is Toyota with 14 per cent and 8,793 units, and Kia with 11 per cent and 6,812 units.

In the continuing subdued market for light commercials, Toyota topped last month’s ladder with a 37 per cent market share and 1,121 units. It was followed by Ford with 19 per cent and 595 units. Mitsubishi came third with eight per cent and 242 units.

So far in 2022, the best-selling model is the Hilux. Its market share is 20 per cent thanks to 5,739 units. Next up is Ford’s Ranger on 19 per cent and 5,475 units, and Mitsubishi’s Triton on 16 per cent and 4,640.

Switching to electric

There were 550 pure electric vehicles sold in July, six of which were in the heavy sector. The top-selling models were the Peugeot 208 on 92 units, Polestar 2 with 80 and Kia EV6 on 40.

Registrations of plug-in hybrids were steady with 635 units. The top three were the Mitsubishi Outlander and Eclipse Cross with 280 and 164 units respectively, followed by the Hyundai Ioniq with 35 units.

There were 1,773 hybrids registered last month with the top three all being Toyotas – the RAV4 with 530 units, Highlander on 227 and Yaris with 123 units.