Record December, Record Year for New Commercial Vehicles

Media Release

7 January 2014

Record December, Record Year for New Commercial Vehicle Registrations

Further to the MIA’s press release earlier in the week “analysis of new commercial vehicle registrations show 2013 was an extraordinary year, breaking all records since the MIA began collecting commercial vehicle data in 1981 with 30,822 registrations” says David Crawford, Chief Executive Officer of the Motor Industry Association of New Zealand.

The highest annual totals for sales of new commercial vehicles are:
Year | Total
2013 | 30,822
1982 | 30,492
1984 | 26,892
2005 | 25,623
1981 | 25,014

The strongest segments in the new commercial vehicle markets were two wheel drive utes, four wheel drive utes and trucks above 15,000kgs. Sales of two wheel drive utes were a massive 48% ahead of 2012, while sales of four wheel drive utes was a healthy 30% ahead of 2012.

Sales of the heavy vehicles above 15 tonnes also increased significantly with registrations of trucks greater than 15,000kgs 36% ahead of 2012.

| 2012 | 2013 | Difference | % Increase
2 WD Utes | 5,324 | 7,897 | 2,573 | 48%
4 WD Utes | 10,299 | 13,339 | 3,040 | 30%
Trucks (>15,000ks) | 1,718 | 2,343 | 625 | 36%

Registrations of new commercial vehicles picked up in the second half of 2013, with the months of September, October, November and December each being the strongest month since records began compared to previous years’ monthly registrations. “A number of factors have contributed to the strong demand, such as the Christchurch rebuild, strong Auckland regional economy, growing strength of the NZ economy and the high New Zealand dollar resulting in businesses having the confidence to replace big ticket items” says Mr Crawford.

The Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger were the most popular commercial vehicle models, in what was a closely fought match throughout 2013. Toyota was the highest seller in 6 of the 12 months, 5 times in the first six months of 2013. The Ranger was also highest in 6 of the 12 months, 5 times in the last six months of 2013. Overall, the Toyota Hilux retained it’s 30 plus year reign as the most popular ute in New Zealand with 5,041 registrations compared to the Ford Ranger with 4,924 registrations, a difference of 117 vehicles over the year.

Of the 30,822 commercial vehicles sold during the year, 28,709 were diesel powered.

ENDS.

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