Toyota sweeps top three

The number of used-imported cars registered in New Zealand fell by 6.1 per cent last month to 8,181, when compared with the 8,710 units in August 2023.

The latest figures take the year-to-date total to 69,266, which is 6.3 per cent lower than the 73,893 units at the same stage a year ago.

The Toyota Aqua, pictured, was the most popular model last month with 807 registrations – down 46.6 per cent from 1,510 units in August last year – and a market share of 9.9 per cent.

Toyota swept the top three spots last month with its Prius next on 532 units and 6.5 per cent of the market and the Corolla on 329 and four per cent.

Mazda’s Axela was fourth with 323 registrations and a 3.9 per cent market share, while Nissan’s X-Trail was fifth with 283 units and 3.5 per cent.

The Aqua is top of the year-to-date standings on 6,844 units and a market share of 9.9 per cent, followed by the Prius on 5,507 and eight per cent.

Completing the top five for the first half of the year are the Axela on 2,906 registrations, the Corolla with 2,627 and Nissan’s Note on 2,565.

Toyota was the top marque in August with 2,911 registrations for 35.6 per cent of the market. Its monthly total was down by 30.3 per cent from 4,176 in the same month of 2023. 

Nissan was the second most popular brand last month with 1,118 units for a market share of 13.7 per cent, and Mazda was third on 1,103 registrations, or 13.5 per cent. 

Year to date, Toyota leads the marques’ ladder with 25,858 registrations and a 37.3 per cent market share. 

Mazda is next on 9,485 and Nissan has 9,471, giving both brands a 13.7 per cent slice of trade.