Used import market tumbles

The number of used-imported cars registered in New Zealand fell by 24.1 per cent last month to 7,319, when compared with the 9,641 units in October 2023.

The latest figures take the year-to-date total to 83,779, which is 9.4 per cent lower than the 92,434 units at the same stage a year ago.

The Toyota Aqua was the most popular model last month with 757 registrations – down 58.6 per cent from 1,827 units in October last year – and a market share of 10.3 per cent.

Toyota took out the top three spots last month with its Prius next on 467 units and 6.4 per cent of the market and the Corolla on 280 and 3.8 per cent.

Mazda’s Axela was fourth with 275 registrations and a 3.8 per cent market share. The Subaru Impreza, pictured, had a 26.5 per cent gain year on year – making it the only model in last month’s top five to record an increase – and was fifth with 258 units and 3.5 per cent of the market.

The Aqua is top of the year-to-date standings on 8,352 units and a market share of 10 per cent, followed by the Prius on 6,496 and 7.8 per cent.

Completing the top five for the first half of the year are the Axela on 3,434 registrations, the Corolla with 3,166 and Nissan’s Note on 2,977.

Toyota was the top marque in October with 2,589 registrations for 35.4 per cent of the market. Its monthly total was down by 46 per cent from 4,795 in the same month of 2023. 

Nissan was the second most popular brand last month with 1,015 units for a market share of 13.9 per cent, and Mazda was third on 950 registrations, or 13 per cent. 

Year to date, Toyota leads the marques’ ladder with 31,020 registrations and a 37 per cent market share. 

Nissan is next on 11,457 and 13.7 per cent, and Mazda has 11,419 and 13.6 per cent.