Nissan model big climber

The number of used-imported cars registered in New Zealand dropped by 18.9 per cent last month to 7,216, when compared with the 8,900 units in September 2023.

It takes the year-to-date total to 76,471, which is 7.6 per cent lower than the 82,793 units at the same stage a year ago.

The Toyota Aqua was the most popular model last month with 754 registrations – a 53.6 per cent decrease from 1,624 units in September of last year – and a market share of 10.4 per cent.

Toyota’s Prius was second with 523 units and 7.2 per cent of the market, while the Nissan X-Trail and Toyota Corolla tied for third on 259 and 3.6 per cent.

Completing the top five was Mazda’s Axela with 254 units and 3.5 per cent.

The X-Trail, pictured, was the only model in the top five to record a year-on-year increase in registrations, climbing 62.9 per cent from 159 units in September 2023. 

The Aqua is the clear leader in the year-to-date standings on 7,596 units and a market share of 9.9 per cent, followed by the Prius on 6,029 and 7.9 per cent.

Next is the Axela on 3,159 registrations, the Corolla with 2,886 and Nissan’s Note on 2,767.

Toyota was the top marque in September with 2,588 registrations for 35.9 per cent of the market. Its total was down 39.9 per cent from 4,307 in the same month of 2023. 

Mazda was the second most popular marque last month with 987 units, a market share of 13.7 per cent, and Nissan was third on 972 registrations, or 13.5 per cent. 

Year to date, Toyota leads the marques’ ladder with 28,438 registrations and a 37.2 per cent market share. Mazda is next on 10,471 and 13.7 per cent, with Nissan third on 10,443 and 13.7 per cent.