Typhoon hits deliveries

New-vehicle registrations rose by 4.2 per cent year-on-year in August to 12,216 vehicles. Passenger sales registrations increased 13.1 per cent, while light commercials fell by 14.7 per cent and heavy commercials dropped by 18.8 per cent. 

The Motor Industry Association (MIA) says last month’s results should be interpreted with some caution as typhoon-related disruptions to shipping schedules from Asia delayed some departures and pushed several arrivals into the final days of the month. 

“That timing effect is likely to have influenced registration volumes across parts of the market, making individual brand and model movements less representative than usual,” says Aimee Wiley, the MIA’s chief executive.

Year to date, total registrations remain 9.7 per cent ahead of 2025. Passenger sales are up by 14.8 per cent, while light commercials are down 2.2 per cent and heavy commercials are broadly unchanged, down 0.5 per cent. The overall market remains positive, but growth is concentrated rather than broad-based.

“August remained positive overall, but there were two quite different stories beneath the headline,” adds Wiley. “Passenger registrations continued to strengthen, increasingly supported by battery electric vehicles [BEVs] and plug-in hybrids [PHEVs], while commercial activity remained subdued. 

“Typhoon-related shipping disruption also affected vehicle arrivals, so individual brand and model results for August should be interpreted with appropriate caution.” 

Growth in the passenger market was concentrated in BEVs and PHEVs. BYD’s Atto 3 with 107 units and Toyota’s RAV4, pictured above, on 485 topped their respective ladders.

Battery-electric registrations increased 172.5 per cent year on year and PHEVs 179.1 per cent, lifting their combined share of passenger registrations to 23.9 per cent from 9.8 per cent a year ago. 

The shift is also clear year to date. BEVS are up by 158.7 per cent and PHEVs by 160.8 per cent, with their combined share rising to 27.9 per cent from 12.3 per cent. 

Private sales were 17.2 per cent higher in August and rentals were 32.8 per cent higher, while business registrations were broadly unchanged.