Toyota trio lead used market

The number of used-imported cars registered in New Zealand fell by 18.1 per cent last month to 7,273, when compared with the 8,877 units in May 2024.

The latest figures take the year-to-date total to 35,147, which is 20.6 per cent lower than the 44,241 units at the same stage a year ago.

However, May’s figures were up by 12.9 per cent from the 6,440 units registered in April this year.

The Toyota Aqua, pictured, was the most popular model last month with 711 registrations – down 15.3 per cent from 839 units in May last year – and a market share of 9.8 per cent.

Toyota continued its grip on the top three spots last month with its Prius next on 553 units and 7.6 per cent of the market and the Corolla on 365 and five per cent.

Nissan’s Note was fourth with 333 sales for a 4.6 per cent market share and the Mazda Axela completed the top five on 309 units and 4.2 per cent.

Two models making some of the biggest gains last month were the Nissan Leaf, which was 14th on the ladder after its sales rose 72.2 per cent year-on-year from 79 to 136, and the Toyota Yaris, which jumped to 20th after a 128.1 per cent increase from 32 units to 73.

The Aqua is top of the year-to-date standings on 3,567 units and a market share of 10.1 per cent, followed by the Prius on 2,492 and 7.1 per cent.

Toyota was the leading marque in May with 2,702 registrations for 37.2 per cent of the market. Its monthly total was down by 16.1 per cent from 3,221 in the same month of 2024. 

Nissan was the second most popular brand last month with 1,051 units for a market share of 14.5 per cent, and Mazda was third on 1,033 registrations, or 14.2 per cent. 

Year to date, Toyota is number one on the marques’ ladder with 12,995 registrations and a 37 per cent market share. 

Nissan is next on 4,845 and 13.8 per cent, and Mazda has 4,586 and 13 per cent.