Vehicle imports dwindle

There were 5,211 used passenger vehicles imported into New Zealand during January, which is 24.9 per cent lower than for the same month a year ago.

Last month’s total included 4,966 cars coming in from Japan, which claimed a market share of 95.3 per cent, according to the figures from Customs NZ. 

Next up in January was Australia with 134 units and 2.6 per cent of the monthly total. The UK claimed third place with 30  and was followed by the US on 30 and Singapore with 23.

The overall total meant 1,722 fewer units crossed our borders than in January 2022, when the tally reached 6,933. The latest figure was also 46.7 per cent lower than the 9,781 used cars imported in December last year.

As for used light commercials, there were 172 imports in January – a 36.3 per cent decrease from 270 units a year ago. 

Last month’s figure was also down 63.3 per cent from the 469 units imported in December 2021.

New imports 

There were 6,259 new passenger vehicles imported in January, which represented a 1.7 per cent decrease from the 6,367 units in the same month of last year. 

The monthly tally was also down 37 per cent from December when 9,936 new cars crossed our borders.

For new light commercials, there were 1,886 units imported last month, a drop of 39.5 per cent from January 2022. The figure was also 42.4 per cent lower than the 3,272 units seen in December last year.