New vehicle sales just keep on climbing

5 October 2005

New vehicle sales just keep on climbing

The New Zealand new vehicle market continued to surge in September, posting sales of 7498 new cars and 2286 new commercial vehicles. The new car figure was 4.2% up on August and 7.0% up on September 2004, and was the biggest September since 1987. Although new commercial vehicle sales were slightly down on August and only marginally up on September ’04 it was the biggest September for 21 years in this seasonally sensitive segment.

Total year to date new vehicle sales have reached 78,319, with a quarter of the year still to go. This is 7.1% up on a year ago and the first 100,000 new vehicle market since used imports started arriving in volume now looks a virtual certainty.

“The used importers are now mainly involved in recycling short-life vehicles at the bottom end of the market, and they are hurting,” said Perry Kerr, CEO of the Motor Industry Association. “We, representing the new vehicle industry, are confident that we’ve regained the position as the first choice of those seeking value, safety and driving pleasure. There are also increasing numbers of excellent, well-priced New Zealand-new used vehicles in the system to satisfy the needs of those on a tighter budget, and this is what’s helping to drive the renewed confidence in the new vehicle market.”

Toyota roared ahead in September, especially in commercials, to establish a commanding 1170 unit lead over Ford for the total market year to date. Model-wise, Toyota’s Corolla trounced previous best-seller Commodore by almost 100 units for the month, but Commodore’s still looking fairly invincible year to date.

ENDS

© Scoop Media