Used-import sector extends run

The number of used-imported cars registered in New Zealand increased by 5.5 per cent last month to 6,786, when compared with the 6,431 units in April 2025.

It marks the fourth consecutive month of year-on-year growth for the sector and comes off the back of a 13.1 per cent surge in March, which was boosted by a rise in battery-electric sales. 

The year-to-date total stands at 29,561, which is 6.2 per cent higher than the 27,843 units at the same stage a year ago.

Toyota’s Aqua was the best-selling model last month with 664 registrations – down by 1.6 per cent from 675 units in April last year – and a market share of 9.8 per cent.

The Japanese marque swept the top three spots on the models ladder with its Prius second on 437 units and 6.4 per cent and the Corolla third with 378 and 5.6 per cent.

Next was Nissan’s Note with 333 sales for a 4.9 per cent market share and Toyota’s C-HR, pictured, with 225 and 3.3 per cent.

The Aqua leads the year-to-date standings on 2857 units and a market share of 9.7 per cent, followed by the Prius on 1,860 and 6.3 per cent.

Toyota was the number one marque in April with 2,527 registrations for 37.2 per cent of the market. Its monthly total was up by 5.6 per cent from 2,392 in the same month of 2025. 

Nissan was the second most popular brand last month with 945 units for a market share of 13.9 per cent, and Mazda was third on 745 and 11 per cent. 

Year to date, Toyota is out front with 10,506 registrations and a 35.5 per cent market share. 

Nissan is next on 4,567 and 15.4 per cent, and Mazda has 3,771 and 12.8 per cent.