Top quartet unchanged

The number of used-imported cars registered in New Zealand fell by 18.5 per cent last month to 7,279, when compared with the 8,931 units in March 2024.

However, March’s figures were up by 7.2 per cent from the 6,793 units registered in February this year.

The Toyota Aqua was the most popular model last month with 776 registrations – down 22.7 per cent from 1,994 units in March last year – and a market share of 10.7 per cent.

Toyota took out the top three spots last month with its Prius next on 515 units and 7.1 per cent of the market and the Corolla on 373 and 5.1 per cent.

The top four models have remained unchanged so far this year and Honda’s Fit, pictured, maintained its fourth spot with 294 registrations and a four per cent market share. Nissan’s Note claimed fifth with 284 units and 3.9 per cent.

The Corolla and Fit were the only models in the top five to record year-on-year increases in registrations, with the former climbing 9.4 per cent from 341 a year ago. The Fit was up 3.5 per cent from 284 in March 2024.

The Aqua is top of the year-to-date standings on 2,178 units and a market share of 10.2 per cent, followed by the Prius on 1,480 and 6.9 per cent.

Toyota was the top marque in March with 2,734 registrations for 37.6 per cent of the market. Its monthly total was down by 21.8 per cent from 3,498 in the same month of 2024. 

Nissan was the second most popular brand last month with 1,020 units for a market share of 14 per cent, and Mazda was third on 953 registrations, or 13.1 per cent. 

Year to date, Toyota leads the marques’ ladder with 7,901 registrations and a 36.8 per cent market share. 

Nissan is next on 2,906 and 13.6 per cent, and Mazda has 2,682 and 12.5 per cent.