Vehicle imports on the up

There were 7,538 used passenger vehicles imported into New Zealand during February, which was 5.4 per cent more than in the same month a year ago.

Last month’s total included 7,404 cars coming in from Japan, which claimed a market share of 98.2 per cent, according to the figures from Customs NZ.

This was slightly above its year-to-date share of 97 per cent.

Next up in February was Australia with 83 units and 1.1 per cent of the monthly total. The US claimed third place with 19 and was followed by the UK on 17.

The overall total meant 389 more units crossed our borders than the 7,149 recorded in February 2022. 

The latest monthly figure was also up 44.7 per cent from the 5,211 used cars imported in January this year.

The year-to-date tally stands at 12,749 vehicles.

As for used light commercials, there were 284 imports in February – a drop of 31.6 per cent from 415 units a year ago. 

In contrast, last month’s figure was up 65.1 cent from the 172 units imported in January 2023.

The total for the first two months of the year stands at 456, down 33.4 per cent from 685 during the same period of last year.

Japan top source

There were 6,912 new passenger vehicles imported in February, which represented an 18.8 per cent decrease from the 8,517 units in the same month of last year. 

However, last month’s figure was up 10.4 per cent from January when 6,259 new cars crossed our borders.

Japan was the top source of new vehicles, accounting for 2,521 units, with China second on 1,195. South Korea, Thailand and Belgium were next on the list with 743, 721 and 571 units, respectively.

The year-to-date figures of 13,171 are 11.5 per cent below the 14,884 recorded at the same stage a year ago.

For new light commercials, there were 2,416 units imported last month, which was 213 units or 9.7 per cent more than the 2,203 seen in February 2022. 

It was also 28.1 per cent higher than the 1,886 units brought into the country during January.

The year-to-date tally stood at 4,302 at the end of February for a decrease of 19.1 per cent from the 5,320 units imported during the first two months of 2022.

Overall, 17,596 vehicles, including trucks and buses, crossed our border in February, which was up from 14,074 the previous month.