Car registrations up in 1999

Figures released today by the Land Transport Safety Authority show the registration of ex-overseas cars (used imports) at its highest level ever.

Ex-overseas cars represented 131,118 (69.25 per cent) of all cars registered in 1999. This compares with the registration of 99,937 used imports in 1998.

The previous highest number of ex-overseas cars registered in New Zealand in any given year was in 1996 when 111,764 were registered.

The LTSA also reported an increase of over 4,000 in the number of new cars registered in 1999.

Despite a 5.5 per cent drop (to a total of 4,511) in the number of new cars registered in December 1999, 58,195 new cars were registered in the full year. This compared with 54,157 new cars registered in 1998.

The overall total of 189,313 car registrations in 1999 reflected a 22.85 per cent increase over the 154,094 cars registered in 1998.

The LTSA figures showed that Toyota, with a market share of 15.35 per cent, had regained leadership of the new car market from Ford (15.29 per cent).

The most popular model of new car registered in 1999, however, was the Ford Falcon (4,311 cars registered) followed by the Holden Commodore (3,511) and the Toyota Corolla (3,475).

The most popular used imported car registered during 1999 was the Subaru Legacy (7,962).

As at 31 December 1999 the total New Zealand vehicle fleet, which included 2,164,620 cars, stood at 3,175,039.

The LTSA’s 1999 New Zealand Motor Vehicle Registration Statistics Yearbook would be released towards the end of the month.

© Scoop Media