Ranger claims Kiwi title

The Ford Ranger has done it again. It’s the country’s number-one overall new vehicle despite the market impact of the now-defunct clean car discount.

The blue oval’s ute notched up 9,908 units in 2023 to claim 25.7 per cent of last year’s new commercials market.

There were 38,545 new commercials sold in New Zealand last year versus 48,416 in 2022 for a drop of 20.4 per cent as the feebate scheme hit registrations hard.

Toyota’s Hilux came second on last year’s ladder with 8,049 units for a 20.9 per cent share of the market. Third place went to Mitsubishi’s Triton with 8.1 per cent and 3,103 registrations.

The Toyota Hiace was fourth on 1,809 and 4.7 per cent, while another ute – Isuzu’s D-Max – rounded off the top five with 1,038 and 2.7 per cent.

Ford was 2023’s top marque for new commercials. Its 10,732 registrations amounted to a market share of 27.8 per cent compared to Toyota’s 27.1 per cent and total of 10,440.

Mitsubishi came third with 8.1 per cent and 3,115. The top five was completed by Isuzu on 2,278 and Fuso with 1,256.

The Ranger was December’s top model in the sector as well thanks to 198 registrations for a 16.4 per cent share of the market. Fiat’s Ducato came second with 125 to consign the Hilux to third with 106.

There were 1,204 new commercials registered last month for a year-on-year drop of 63.8 per cent from 3,326 units in December 2022.