New vehicle sales start the year on a high

New vehicle sales start the year on a high

The new vehicle market has maintained the gains that were achieved last year, with a positive start to 2011. The Motor Trade Association (MTA) said the overall new vehicle market was up by 12 percent in January compared to the same month last year.

January vehicle sales are traditionally much stronger than December and this has proved to be the case again, with sales ahead by 27 percent compared to December 2010.

Registration data just released by NZ Transport Agency shows that 7,297 units were sold in January 2011 compared to 6703 in the same month last year. Sales in December 2010 totalled 5944 units.

New passenger car sales of 6,210 units were up 609 units (11 percent) compared to January 2010 and 1,662 units (37 percent) ahead of December 2010.

Commercial sales of 1,313 units were up by 211 units (19 percent) compared to January 2010, but 83 units down (6 percent) compared to December 2010.

MTA spokesperson Ian Stronach, Marketing and Communications General Manager said “The market has actually come in a little stronger than most of the industry had been anticipating. Prices have been very competitive over recent weeks, as many distributors have made a concerted effort to maintain last year’s sales momentum, a tactic which so far appears to be paying dividends.”

In terms of brand and model leadership there was little change. Toyota led passenger car sales with 1,450 units for a commanding 23 percent share of the market, followed by Ford with 742 units (11.9 percent share), and Holden, 605 units (9.7 percent share).

Corolla was the top selling model with 907 units, followed by Holden Commodore with 380 units and Suzuki Swift with 265 units.

Used import car sales of 7,068 units were 240 units (4 percent) higher than January 2010 but 98 units (9 percent) lower than December 2010.

January is traditionally a strong time for motorcycle sales, but despite increasing fuel costs, sales remained soft. Sales of 507 units were 210 units (29 percent) lower than January 2010 and alarmingly, 22 units (4 percent) behind December 2010.

ENDS

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