Unprecedented demand for utes

Consumer interest in utes has spiked since the government announced its clean-car discount plans, with the leading models set to enjoy record sales this year.

The Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux accounted for 51 per cent of ute sales in the first half of 2021 and buyers appear keen to snap up more of the vehicles to avoid emissions-based penalties that are due to kick in next year.

Under the feebate scheme, vehicles with high emissions ratings will attract a fee of up to $5,875 when first registered in New Zealand. 

The exact costs have yet to be passed into legislation but provisional figures from Waka Kotahi suggest a Ford Ranger will face a $2,780 penalty because of its emissions rating of 234gCO2/km. Hilux owners look set to be charged $2,900 with the vehicle’s rating of 236gCO2/km.

Ford New Zealand says the demand for the Ranger has been steadily improving this year with a notable increase in interest since the government’s clean-car announcement on June 13, reports Stuff.

Simon Rutherford, managing director, explains it had 100 orders in one morning after Fieldays and is looking to sell about 1,000 Rangers a month for the rest of the year.

The marque predicts only supply chain disruption will stop the Ranger from hitting 11,000 registrations in 2021, which would surpass the model’s previous best annual result of 9,904 units in 2018.

Ranger topped its sector with 7,975 sales last year, according to the Motor Industry Association, with Hilux in second spot on 5,796.

Toyota New Zealand also reports unprecedented interest in the Hilux but did not provide exact figures.