Vehicle imports surge

There were 10,582 used passenger vehicles imported last month, an increase of 56.3 per cent from 6,772 units a year ago.

The latest tally was also up by 11.1 per cent from June this year when 9,527 units crossed our borders, according to figures from Customs NZ. 

The year-to-date total for 2026 is now 56,969 – a rise of 16.8 per cent from 48,786 at the same time last year.

Some 10,375 units were imported from Japan in July for a 98 per cent share of the market. Australia was next with 149 units, followed by Singapore on 23. 

As for used light commercials, 423 crossed the border last month. This was up 48.4 per cent from 285 units in the same month last year and a 70.6 per cent rise when compared with June’s total of 248.

The year-to-date total for this sector now stands at 2,010 units, a jump of 48.3 per cent from 1,355 a year ago.

Boost for new sector

As for new passenger vehicles, some 13,136 units were brought into New Zealand last month. 

This was a 21.4 per cent rise from 10,822 units in July last year and a 41.2 per cent increase from 9,300 in June this year.

July’s tally means 59,141 vehicles have crossed the border so far in 2026, which is up 18.9 per cent from 49,731 units for the same period a year ago.

Japan was the main country of export with 6,668 units, followed by China with 1,884, Thailand on 1,807, South Korea with 1,227 and Germany on 534.

For new light commercials, 3,335 units were imported in July, a 34.7 per cent increase from 2,476 a year ago. 

The latest figure was also up by 69.2 per cent when compared with the 1,971 units in June.

The year-to-date total is now 15,399, which is down 2.6 per cent from 15,816 for the same period in 2025.

Overall, 27,980 vehicles, including trucks and buses, entered the country in July. This was up from 21,371 in the previous month.