Used-imports dwindling

There were 7,156 used-imported cars registered in New Zealand last month, a drop of 36.8 per cent when compared with 11,321 in the same month of 2021.

November’s tally means the number of sales for the sector has dropped for four consecutive months and has hit its lowest point since May this year when the total was 6,877,

The Toyota Aqua, pictured, was the top-selling model last month with 1,068 registrations – a 14.6 per cent increase from 932 units in November of last year – and a market share of 14.9 per cent.

Toyota’s Prius was second with 600 units and 8.4 per cent of the market, followed by the Mazda Axela on 409 and 5.7 per cent.

Completing the top five was the Toyota Corolla with 242 registrations and a 3.4 per cent market share and Mazda’s Demio with 238 and 3.3 per cent.

The Aqua leads the year-to-date figures with 11,890 sales and a market share of 11.4 per cent. It has sold more than twice the number of units achieved by the Prius, which is on 5,652 and 5.4 per cent.

Toyota was also the leading marque in November with 2,682 registrations for 37.5 per cent of the market, despite its sales falling 14.6 per cent from 3,140 in the same month of 2021. 

However, the decrease for Toyota was better than any of the other marques in the top 10, whose numbers fell year-on-year by between 26.5 per cent and 61 per cent.

Mazda was second among the marques in November on 1,055 units, a market share of 14.7 per cent, and Nissan was third on 890 registrations or 12.4 per cent. 

Year to date, Toyota continues to dominate the marques’ ladder with 33,759 registrations and a 32.5 per cent market share. Nissan is next on 14,553 and 14 per cent, with Mazda third on 13,626 and 13.1 per cent.