Record numbers for Toyota

Toyota New Zealand has achieved its highest month for registrations in its history across its Toyota and Lexus brands.

According to Waka Kotahi data, the company had 5,489 new passenger and commercial registrations last month before the revised clean car discount kicked in on July 1.

That represented an electrification mix of more than 44 per cent, says Toyota NZ, with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for its new-product portfolio continuing to move down towards its end-of-year target.

Steve Prangnell, pictured, vice-president of new vehicles, thanks customers for their continued loyalty despite ongoing disruption to deliveries.

“I’m also proud to report our demand continues to swing towards electrified product with 44 per cent of our sales in June being hybrid electric vehicles. Toyota Hybrid is seen as the powertrain of choice for New Zealanders.”

Chief executive officer, Neeraj Lala, says June’s “phenomenal result” comes down to the hard work of the Toyota team across the country.

“I want to thank our team who have put in a lot of hard work to be able to achieve this result,” he adds. “A huge thank-you to the team from Toyota stores to head office staff and Toyota Financial Services.”

The all-time high for Toyota in June included the RAV4 reaching its highest-ever monthly total with 1,496 registrations, of which more than 65 per cent were electrified. An all-time record was achieved for the Hilux with 1,703 units in the month of June “largely thanks to an incredibly successful Fieldays”.

Out of the company’s 5,489 new-vehicle total, 3,187 cars and 2,155 commercials had the Toyota badge, according to Waka Kotahi data.

New Toyota passenger vehicles were up by 149.6 per cent from 1,277 units in June 2022, its commercials climbed by 134.2 per cent and Lexus cars increased to 147 from 92, or by 59.8 per cent.

Prangnell says: “We’re proud to continue our reduction in our CO2 profile and still achieve a record month for selling the Hilux, which is a testament to our balanced portfolio while still providing customers with high quality, reliable, affordable and safe vehicles.

“We are 100 per cent focused on ensuring customers’ needs are met through our product, so June’s result was a fantastic culmination of this effort.”

Toyota NZ has committed to reducing tailpipe emissions from its portfolio by 46 per cent by 2030 and says it’s on-track to reach that target.