New vehicle sales recover in 2010

New vehicle sales recover in 2010

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) said that despite starting from what was a historically low base, the new vehicle market showed steady growth throughout 2010 ending the year 15 percent ahead of 2009. While a welcome increase, overall sales in 2010 were still well below the levels achieved in recent years prior to the financial recession.

Registration data just released by NZ Transport Agency shows that new vehicle market sales for the 2010 calendar year were up an encouraging 10,405 units (15 percent) compared to 2009. The overall new vehicle market for December, of 5,994 units, was down by 1,432 units (19 percent) compared to November, but up 959 (19 percent) units compared to December 2009.

New passenger car sales were up 7,625 units (14 percent) compared to 2009. In December sales of 4,548 units were down 23 percent compared to November, but up 575 (14 percent) ahead of December 2009.

In 2010, Toyota continued to lead in new car sales maintaining a dominant 20 percent share of the passenger market to again finish as leader. Ford followed with a 11 percent share heading off Holden who secured a 10 percent share for third.

Toyota Corolla with 4,890 units, maintained its stranglehold in terms of individual model leadership for the year, clearly outdistancing second place Suzuki Swift with 2,724 units. Holden Commodore came in at third place with 2,564 units followed by Ford Falcon not far behind with 2,407 units. Mazda 3 rounded out the top five place with 2,231 units.

New commercial sales finished the year with 18424, up 2,780 units (18 percent) compared to 2009. In December sales of 1,396 units were down 111 units (7 percent) compared to November, but up 384 (38 percent) ahead of December 2009.

MTA spokesperson Ana Zandi said “2010 could be said to be the year of replacement. During 2010 people and firms that had deferred vehicle replacements in 2009 were confronted with having no real choice other than to renew their aging vehicles. This trend has largely mirrored overseas markets where there has been a cautious market recovery. The industry would have been hard pressed to cope with another year like 2009 and we are optimistic that it will continue a steady climb back to the levels of the middle part of the decade.”

On the back of greater availability, rising consumer confidence and a relatively stable yen dollar cross rate, used import car sales were up strongly throughout 2010 up by 29 percent compared to 2009. Toyota maintained a dominant 27 percent share, followed by Nissan with a 16 percent share. Both Mazda and Honda held a 12 percent share. Sales of 7,766 units in December were down by 1 unit compared to November, and up by 162 units (2 percent) compared to December 2010.

The exception to this improving trend has been the motorcycle sector. For 2010, sales were down by 23 percent compared to 2009. In December, sales of 529 units were up by 49 units (10 percent) compared to November 2010, but were down by 93 units (15 percent) compared to December 2009. The motorcycle sector may see some recovery in 2011 if fuel prices continue to rise.

ENDS

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