New vehicle sales stay strong in March

06 April 2011

The new vehicle market maintained its strong start to the year, with overall sales in March of 8,255 units, up 29 percent compared to February (6,404 units). Motor Trade Association (MTA) said the overall new vehicle market was up by 18 percent in March compared to the same month last year, with both new cars and commercial vehicles enjoying good levels of sales.

Overall, 8,255 units were sold in March 2011 compared with 6,987 in March 2010.

March has traditionally shown an increase in sales, and registration data just released by NZ Transport Agency shows 2011 was no exception. Compared to February, sales of new passenger cars in March (6,079 units) were up by 25 percent. Year on year, sales were up by 13 percent compared to March 2010, and are now up by 12 percent for the year to date.

The picture for commercial vehicles was even brighter. Compared to February, sales in March (2,181 units) were up by a healthy 40 percent. Year on year, sales were up by 37 percent compared to March 2010, and are now up by 25 percent for the year to date.

MTA spokesperson Ian Stronach, Marketing and Communications General Manager said “To an extent, industry had been holding its breath about March sales results. There will be considerable relief across the board that things have held up so well. People had been given lots of reasons not to buy, but obviously there is still demand out there and buyers are having their way.”

Toyota retained its dominance of passenger car sales with sales of 1,184 units for a 19 percent share of the market, followed again by Hyundai with 550 units and a 9 percent share, and Holden who claimed back third spot with sales of 509 units for an 8 percent share.

Corolla took top spot in terms of individual passenger car models with sales of 355 units, Suzuki Swift was in second spot with sales of 307 units, followed by Toyota Yaris with 243 units.

Stronach said “Between the success of smaller cars and SUV’s the market really is taking on an established pattern. Traditional large car favourites are finding the going tough, and with fuel prices where they are, it’s difficult to see local buyers retreating from this pattern.”

Compared to February 2011, sales of used import passenger cars in March (6,893 units) were up by 7 percent. Year on year though, sales were down 10 percent compared to March 2010, and are now down by 4 percent for the year to date, perhaps beginning to reflect the supply situation out of Japan.

Spurred on by rapidly increasing fuel prices, motorcycle sales finally broke the inertia that has gripped this segment of the market for the last few months. Sales of 768 units in March was 214 units (39 percent) higher than February 2011. Importantly, it was also 19 units or 3 percent ahead of March 2010.

Scooter sales (motorcycles of 60cc or less) were responsible for the bulk of this growth. Sales of 360 units were up a massive 139 units or 63 percent over February 2011, and 42 units or 13 percent over March 2010. For the year to date, motorcycle sales are still behind 2010 by 345 units (16 percent).

ENDS

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