Used-imports market edges up

There were 7,939 used-imported cars registered in New Zealand last month, a rise of 11.9 per cent when compared with the 7,095 in the same month of 2021.

The Toyota Aqua was the top-selling model last month with 1,104 registrations – an 84.6 per cent increase from 598 units in August of last year – and a market share of 13.9 per cent.

Toyota’s Prius was second with 628 units and 7.9 per cent of the market, followed by the Mazda Axela on 460 and 5.8 per cent.

Completing the top five was the Nissan Leaf with 301 registrations and a 3.8 per cent market share and Toyota’s Corolla with 285 and 3.3 per cent.

The Aqua, pictured, continues to lead the year-to-date figures with 8,662 units and a market share of 10.5 per cent, followed by the Prius on 3,941 and 4.8 per cent.

Toyota was also the top marque in August with 2,919 registrations for 36.8 per cent of the market, as its sales increased 42.2 per cent from 2,053 in the same month of 2021 when a Covid-19 lockdown constrained activity. 

Mazda was second on 1,244 units, a market share of 15.7 per cent, and Nissan was third on 1,007 registrations or 12.7 per cent. 

Year to date, Toyota sits atop the marques’ ladder with 25,656 registrations and a 31.2 per cent market share. Nissan is next on 11,845 and 14.4 per cent, with Mazda third on 10,336 and 12.6 per cent.