December rounds out a positive year for new vehicle sales

9 January 2012

December rounds out a positive year for new vehicle sales

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) said that while the new vehicle industry faced multiple challenges in the form of natural disasters and supply problems during 2011 it nevertheless managed to show some growth. After a weak 2010, the market was widely expected to grow during 2011; however a series of events outside the control of the industry meant growth levels were more modest than originally forecast.

Registration data just released by NZ Transport Agency shows that the overall market for new vehicles for 2011 was the best in three years. With sales of 84,640 units, the market was up 4,187 units (5.2 percent) compared to 2010. Following its usual pattern, the overall new vehicle market for December, of 6,476 units, was down by 852 units (12 percent) compared to November 2011, but up 532 units (9 percent) compared to December 2010.

MTA Marketing and Communications General Manager, Ian Stronach said “The industry had been expecting an improved market for 2011, and had been able to achieve some growth over the past year although at lower levels than most had hoped. Given the many problems the sector faced during the year, the overall result had to be seen as positive.”

New passenger car sales of 64,019 units for 2011 were up 1,990 units (3 percent) compared to 2010. In December, sales of 5,326 units were down 318 units (6 percent) compared to November 2011, but up by a solid 778 units (17 percent) compared to December 2010.

In 2011, Toyota maintained its hold on the overall market leader’s position, with sales of 17,534 units and a dominant 20.7 percent share. Some way behind in second place was Ford with sales of 8,556 units and a 10.1 percent share, just ahead of Holden with sales of 8,052 units and a 9.5 percent share.

Despite some supply difficulties, Toyota Corolla, with sales of 4,166 units, was once again New Zealand’s most popular passenger car, clearly out-distancing second place Suzuki Swift with 2,892 units. Holden Commodore came in third with sales of 2,381 units followed by Hyundai i30 with 2,300 units and Mazda3 rounding out the top five with sales of 1,977 units. Corolla also proved to be New Zealand’s most popular vehicle overall.

New commercial vehicles sales of 20,261 units for all of 2011 were up 1,837 units (12 percent) compared to 2010. In December, sales of 1,150 units were down 534 units (32 percent) compared to November 2011, and also down 246 units (18 percent) compared to December 2010. Toyota HiLux again took top honours as the leading commercial vehicle with total 2011 sales of 3,805 units.

Stronach added, “We see only a modest improvement for 2012. While there are a whole host of new models set to enter the market, many with exciting and advanced technologies, the lack of settled global economic conditions is likely to see both corporate and private buyers maintaining a cautious approach. While the restrictions to the availability of used imported vehicles will have some affect, it is unlikely to translate into a noticeable increase in new car sales.”

Despite a brighter end to the year, sales of used imported cars did not fare so well, and as expected fell below 2010’s levels. At 80,852 units for the year, used import car sales were down 7,761 units (9 percent) compared to 2010. Sales of 7,504 units in December were up by 542 units (8 percent) compared to November 2011 but down by 262 units (3 percent) compared to December 2010.

A slightly stronger end to the year was still not enough to save the ‘on road’ motorcycle market from one of its weakest years in some time. For 2011, overall sales of 6,376 units were down by 36 units (1 percent) compared to 2010. In December, sales of 534 units were up by 36 units (7 percent) compared to November 2011, and also up compared to December 2010, by just 5 units (1 percent). Interestingly, sales of small motorcycles (less than 60cc) were up for the year by 7 percent while sales of motorcycles over 60cc, were down 5 percent.

• New Passenger registrations
• Used Passenger Registrations
• New Road Registered Motorcycles (>60cc, & <60cc)

ENDS

© Scoop Media