New vehicle sales in June continue increase

Media Release

3 July 2008

New vehicle sales in June continue increase

There has been another lift in the sale of new vehicles in New Zealand with June’s new car sales figures showing an eight per cent increase over May’s registrations.

“This is another encouraging sign that the New Zealand new car market is through the worst,” says Perry Kerr, CEO of the Motor Industry Association. “Both new car and light commercial sales increased over May’s totals, which themselves were an improvement from the very low sales volumes in April, one of the industry’s worst ever months.”

In June, a total of 4,306 new cars were registered, compared to 3,979 in May this year, an 8.2 per cent increase. Registrations totaling 1,812 units in the new commercial vehicle sector produced a 37.8 per cent increase in volume over the previous month.

The total new vehicle market for 2009 looks to be approximately two-thirds the level of 2008 with forecast new car and commercial sales of between 50,000 to 60,000 units expected for the full year.

Kerr says overseas trends indicate that other major markets are now through the worst of the low sales volumes. “It seems we’re following these trends in New Zealand, which is very encouraging. With June’s total, we’re on track for these predicted 2009 figures.”

In terms of market share, Toyota continues as the market leader in both new cars and commercial vehicle sectors. Toyota’s overall market share of 19.3 per cent puts it in front of Ford with 12.4 per cent and Holden with 8.9 per cent year to date. The Toyota Corolla is the country’s best-selling model, ahead of the Holden Commodore and the Suzuki Swift.

ENDS

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