New vehicle sales steam ahead in September

Media Release 4 October 2012
New vehicle sales steam ahead in September


Spurred on by strong sales in all segments, new vehicle sales provide a bright light in the current gloomy economic environment. Sales continued to push ahead full steam with another very positive sales month in September.

Motor Trade Association (MTA) said last month, 8,690 new vehicles were sold overall, compared to 7,628 in September 2011. This is an increase of 1,062 units (14 percent). Year to date, overall sales are now up by 11,265 units (17 percent).

MTA spokesperson Ian Stronach said “September is often a strong month sales wise with many of the new season’s rental fleet being included. Indications this year though are that rental deliveries have only been modest, meaning the sales performance is even more noteworthy than it first appears.”

New car sales of 6,637 units were ahead by 953 units (17 percent) compared to the same month last year, making 2012 the strongest September sales month in four years. Year to date, new car sales are ahead of 2011 by 9,328 units (20 percent).

Stronach adds “All distributors appear to have good availability of stock. There are still plenty of aggressive marketing campaigns out there and buyer interest remains strong. With the New Zealand dollar remaining at close to historically high rates, a new vehicle is stacking up as a compelling proposition for more and more people.”

The new commercial vehicle market was also strong. Sales of 2,053 units were ahead by 109 units (6 percent) compared to September 2011, making 2012 the strongest September for commercial vehicle sales in five years. Year to
date, overall new commercial sales are ahead of 2011 by1,937 units (12 percent).
Top selling passenger car brands:
• Toyota 1,211 units 18 percent market share
• Holden 762 units 11 percent market share
• Ford 610 units 9 percent market share

Top selling passenger car models:
o Toyota Corolla 453 units
o Suzuki Swift 351 units
o Holden Commodore 287 units

Top selling commercial vehicle brands:
• Toyota 533 units 26 percent market share
• Ford 315 units 15 percent market share
• Mitsubishi 222 units 11 percent market share

Top selling commercial vehicle models:
o Toyota HiLux 335 units
o Ford Ranger 249 units
o Holden Colorado 195 units

Used import car sales of 6,222 units were behind by just 144 units (2 percent) compared to September 2011. Year to date, sales of used imported cars are down by 2,977 units (6 percent).

On road motorcycle sales continued their recent revival, with 484 units sold making it the best sales month since March. September’s sales were however down on the same month last year by 107 units (18 percent). For the year to date, on-road motorcycle sales are down by 790 units (16 percent).

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