GST increase prompts positive month for sales

GST increase prompts positive month for vehicle sales

As anticipated, buyers responded to the impending rise in GST with positive sales of new cars, commercials, motorcycles and even used imported cars continuing during September.

Registration data just released by NZ Transport Agency shows that at 7,944 units, the overall new vehicle market for September was 1,507 units (23 percent) ahead of August 2010 and 898 units (12 percent) ahead of September 2009.

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) today said that the lift was largely in line with predictions, and has helped propel new passenger car sales to their highest monthly total in almost two years. New passenger car sales of 6,298 units were 1,578 units (33 percent) ahead of August 2010 and 705 units (12 percent) ahead of September 2009. For the year to date, sales are ahead compared to 2009 by 5,481 units (14 percent).

Commercial sales of 1,646 units were down by 71 units (4 percent) compared to August 2010 but 193 units (13 percent) ahead of September 2009. For the year to date sales are ahead compared to 2009 by 1,925 units (16 percent).

MTA spokesperson Ian Stronach, Marketing and Communications General Manager said “There was an expectation of a positive move in sales, and the figures bear that out. This is traditionally a strong time for rental sales, but even when those sales are removed, the new car market was still ahead by 21 percent. Even more encouraging is the fact that for a number of leading brands, September has been the best month for new car sales so far in 2009.”

Toyota retained first place in the passenger car market with sales of 1,479 units and a dominant 23 percent market share. Ford was again in second place with sales of 827 units and a 13 percent share. Rounding out the top three was Holden with sales of 491 units and a 7 percent share.

In a month where small and medium class cars were totally dominant, Toyota Corolla again took top spot in terms of individual model sales with 631 units. In a Toyota one-two, Camry took second place with 356 units. Ford almost matched this with their own three-four; Focus was in third place on 280 units and Falcon (the only six cylinder car in the top 10) in fourth with 253 units. Toyota Yaris took fifth spot with 217 units.

Used import cars were slightly down, just 100 units compared to August 2010 but 1,511 units (25 percent) ahead of the same month last year. For the year to date, used import car registrations are up 36 percent compared to the same time in 2009.

Sales of road registered motorcycles continued to increase. September’s sales of 493 units were the highest in four months, and 7 percent ahead of August 2010. While sales are slowly emerging from a slump, for the year to date the market remains down by 1,500 units (23 percent) compared to 2009.

ENDS

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