Used imports jump 49%

There were 7,062 used passenger vehicles imported last month, an increase of 49.3 per cent from October when 4,730 units crossed our borders.

While November’s figure ended four consecutive months of decline, it was still down by 21 per cent from 8,941 units in the same month a year ago.

The year-to-date total for 2024 is now 81,618 – down 24.4 per cent compared with 107,981 at the same time last year, according to the latest figures from Customs NZ. 

Last month, 6,816 units were imported from Japan for a 96.5 per cent share of the market. Australia was next with 153 units, followed by the UK on 47 and the US with 17. 

As for used light commercials, 236 crossed the border in November to bring the year-to-date total to 3,197. That figure is down by 21.9 per cent from 4,091 at the same time last year.

Last month’s figure alone was up 32.6 per cent from the 178 units imported in October this year but down 35.3 per cent from 365 in November 2023.

New-vehicle market

As for new passenger vehicles, there were 6,779 units brought into New Zealand last month. 

November’s tally means 81,314 vehicles have come in so far in 2024, which is a 10.5 per cent decrease from the 90,832 units for the same period a year ago.

Last month’s figure was also down by 19.6 per cent from October this year when the monthly total was 8,433 new cars. 

It was also 13.4 per cent lower than the 7,832 units imported in November 2023.

Japan was the main country of export with 4,319 units followed by Thailand with 728. Next up was South Korea on 478, China with 413, Belgium on 167 and the US with 114.

For new light commercials, there were 1,462 units imported in November, down 45 per cent from 1,462 in October this year.

However, the total was up by 359.7 per cent from 318 in November 2023.

It took the year-to-date figure to 19,975 units, which is 12.5 per cent fewer than the 22,830 recorded over the same period of 2023.

Overall, 15,818 vehicles, including trucks and buses, crossed our border in November. This was down from 16,409 in the previous month.