Used imports lead vehicle sales boom

Media Release 7 August 2013

Used imports lead vehicle sales boom

Used imported cars shared in the sales success enjoyed by the new vehicle sector during July with their strongest month in almost six years. Every sector of the market enjoyed growth last month compared to 2012, with used import cars leading the way.

Sales of 9,629 used import cars was up 2,988 units (45 percent) compared to July 2012, and up 1,767 units (22 percent) over June 2013. For the year to date, used imported car sales are up 10,970 units (25 percent). The top brand for used import cars was Toyota with 2,311 units (24 percent market share), followed by Mazda with 1,714 units (18 percent share) and Nissan on 1,695 (18 percent share). In terms of individual used import car models, Mazda Demio led the way with 486 units, closely followed by Suzuki Swift on 460 and Mazda Axela with 423 units.

Used import commercial vehicles also enjoyed a buoyant month. Sales of 527 units were 251 units (91 percent) ahead of July 2012 and up 65 units (14 percent) over June 2013. Year to date, used import commercials are up 1,316 units (69 percent).

MTA spokesman Ian Stronach said “With favourable buying conditions and steadily improving choice for dealers, the used import industry is now largely able to supply what customers are looking for. There has been a degree of pent up demand over recent years which is only really now being met.”

New car sales of 6,786 units were 560 units (9 percent) ahead of July 2012. For the year to date, new car sales are up 2,194 units (5 percent). The top selling new car model for the month was perennial favourite, Toyota Corolla with 376 sales, followed by Holden Captiva with 244 units and Suzuki Swift with 239 units. For the year to date, sales of new passenger cars are 2,194 units (5 percent) ahead of last year.

New commercial vehicles also enjoyed a strong month. Sales of 2,632 units, although down compared to June 2013, were 479 units (22 percent) ahead of July 2013. For the year to date, sales of new commercial vehicles are ahead by 3,529 units (25 percent).

Stronach said, “It’s hard to predict when sales of new vehicles will start to level off. The market is certainly beyond where it was pre-GFC, and is showing no signs of letting up right now. With around 50 brands of cars currently available on the New Zealand market, buyers have a large array of competitively priced models to choose from; it’s a very healthy situation right now.”

While winter is not traditionally a strong time of the year for on-road motorcycles, sales in July put paid to that theory, for July at least. Spurred on by reaction to record fuel prices, on-road motorcycle sales of 497 units were 137 units (38 percent) ahead of July 2012, and 79 units (19 percent) ahead of June 2013. The growth was shared between both scooters and larger displacement models. Suzuki led the way with 75 sales (15 percent market share) followed by Honda with 67 units (13 percent) and Triumph on 39 units (8 percent). For the year to date, on-road motorcycle sales are up 706 units (22 percent).

ENDS

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