Resurgent new vehicle market in 2012

Media Release 8 January 2013

Resurgent new vehicle market in 2012

Strong sales of both passenger and commercial vehicles in December capped off a great year for a resurgent new vehicle industry – topping 100,000 units for only the third time since 1989.

Despite sluggish trading conditions in many sectors of the economy, sales of 100,795 new cars and commercial vehicles were 16,155 units (19 percent) ahead of 2011; easily outpacing general economic growth rates says Motor Trade Association (MTA).

Overall sales were again dominated by Toyota; the launch of its new Corolla helped propel it to total sales of 21,620 units and a 21 percent share of the market. Ford was in second spot with sales of 11,132 units for an 11 percent share with third place going to Holden who achieved sales of 9,446 units and a 9 percent share of the overall market.

MTA spokesperson Ian Stronach said: “2012 ended up being considerably stronger than anyone had predicted. Forecast growth predictions were easily exceeded, with most segments and the majority of distributors all sharing in the strengthening market.”

New passenger car sales reached their highest level in five years. Sales of 76,871 units were 12,852 units (20 percent) ahead of 2011.

Top selling passenger car brands 2012:

• Toyota 14,992 units 20 percent market share

• Holden 7,922 units 10 percent market share

• Ford 7,653 units 10 percent market share

Top selling passenger car models 2012:

o Toyota Corolla 5,324 units

o Suzuki Swift 3,321 units

o Holden Captiva 2,506 units

New commercial sales also shared in the strong market with sales of 23,924 units - the highest in four years, and 3,303 units (16 percent) ahead of 2011.

Top selling commercial vehicle brands 2012:

• Toyota 6,628 units 28 percent market share

• Ford 3,749 units 16 percent market share

• Nissan 2,703 units 11 percent market share

Top selling commercial vehicle models 2012:

o Toyota Hilux 4,182 units

o Ford Ranger 2,815 units

o Nissan Navara 2,586 units

Stronach added “While a positive result, the market is really only returning to where it was pre GFC. While today’s buyers have more makes and models to choose from than ever, the overall rate of new vehicle sales is still well behind that of Australia and the US, which sell new vehicles at double the rate we do. That in turn provides them with a newer fleet that’s cleaner, more efficient and safer than ours.”

Although down by 2,541 units (3 percent), sales of 78,311 used imported passenger cars was well ahead of predictions. Despite doubts about its ability to do so, the market quickly re-adjusted itself to meet the revised exhaust emissions standards. With the ‘pool of qualifying vehicles’ set to expand again this year, MTA predicts further improvement during 2013.

Figures provided by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).

ENDS

New_Passenger_Registrations.pdf
New_Commercial_Sales.pdf
Used_Passenger_Registrations.pdf

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