Used imports suffer fall

There were 5,139 used passenger vehicles imported last month, which was down 22.9 per cent from January 2025 when 6,667 units crossed our borders.

The latest tally also represented a decrease of 23.7 per cent from December last year when there were 6,734 units, according to figures from Customs NZ. 

Last month, 4,966 units were imported from Japan for a 96.6 per cent share of the market. Australia was next with 92 units, followed by the US on 28, Singapore with 27 and the UK on 17. 

As for used light commercials, 186 crossed the border in January. This was down by 42.2 per cent from the 322 units imported in December but 10.7 per cent higher than 168 in January 2025.

Monthly rise for commercials

As for new passenger vehicles, some 6,431 units were brought into New Zealand last month. 

This was down 28.6 per cent from 9,010 units in December last year but up by 11.7 per cent from January 2025’s tally of 5,756.

Japan was the main country of export with 1,985 units, followed by China with 1,326, South Korea on 915, Thailand with 913 and Belgium on 456.

For new light commercials, there were 2,082 units imported in January, which was 6.1 per cent lower than the 2,217 achieved a year ago. However, the latest figure was up 4.8 per cent from 1,986 units in December last year.

Overall, 14,282 vehicles, including trucks and buses, crossed our border in January. This was down from 18,512 in the previous month.