New vehicle market maintains strength in September

Media Release
4 October 2006

New vehicle market maintains strength in September

The new car market continued at near-record levels in September. 7422 new cars were registered making September the strongest month this year. It was a 10.2% lift on August and just 1% behind the peak reached in September 2005. Commercial vehicle sales at 1924 fell 16% behind the seasonal peak, reflecting the softening economy.

In contrast to the continuing strength of the new vehicle market, used imports were again well down on previous years’ levels and are now down 17.8% against 2005 on a year to date basis.

“There’s a fundamental shift towards newer vehicles taking place,” said Perry Kerr, CEO of the Motor Industry Association. “Buyers are becoming increasingly aware of the value represented by new cars as well as late model New Zealand-new used cars.”

Ford and Toyota are now running neck and neck in the new car sales battle after Ford taking top honours for the last three months, but Toyota remains well in front for total vehicles thanks to their dominance in commercials.

Commodore surged to a huge lead in the individual model stakes in September, increasing the year to date lead over Falcon

Sheet 1: Top fifteen distributors, full year 2005, month of September and YTD 2006, total vehicles, new cars, new commercials.

Sheet 2: Top fifteen sellers by model, full year 2005, month of September and YTD 2006, top ten rental cars August 2006.

ENDS

See...
Registration Data, 1975 Onward - Passenger car by months (PDF)
Top fifteen distributors (PDF)
Top fifteen sellers by model (PDF)

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