Slow start for used-import sales

The continuation of a downward used-imported passenger vehicle market was evident last month with 11,598 registrations – a decrease of 15.5 per cent on January 2018’s 13,719 units. 

This was the worst January sales of used imported cars on record since January 2014. However, compared with December 2018 sales increased by 4.9 per cent and 537 units last month. 

Toyota was once again the top-selling used-import car brand for January with 2,450 units, which was a decrease of 24.2 per cent on the 3,232 in same month of last year. The marque starts the year with a market share of 21.1 per cent.

Nissan held onto second with 2,328 sales last month – a fall of 11.4 per cent on January 2017’s 2,629. This was a 20.1 per cent market share. Mazda was third on 1,873 registrations, which was a decrease of 18.9 per cent on the same month of 2018 for a market share of 16.1 per cent. 

The battle for top model was close with the Mazda Axela back in top spot, but only by 34 units. The Suzuki Swift was second and Mazda’s Demio was third – bumping Nissan’s Tiida into fourth. 

There were 633 Axelas sold during January – down by 3.1 per cent on the same month of last year. Swift registrations totalled 563 units for a jump of nine per cent, and 553 Tiida sales represented drop of 3.1 per cent. The three models hold 5.5, 4.9 and 4.8 per cent of this year’s market share respectively. 

The regions that performed best when compared to the same month a year ago were Oamaru, up by 43.8 per cent from 16 in 2018 to 23 units last month. Rotorua and Invercargill rounded out the top three, up by 67 and 40 per cent respectively.