NZ sales: January sales drop
NEW ZEALAND vehicle sales started the year slowly due to the economic downturn, totaling 12,481 units for the month, down 7.4% from the same month last year (-998 units).
While registrations for passenger cars and SUVs increased slightly – up 3.9% or 349 units – registrations for commercial vehicles, including utilities, fell significantly. 29.6% in January, a decrease of 1347 units.
The New Zealand Automotive Industry Association (MIA) said that despite the falling numbers, it was nice to see that confidence from private buyers was “holding up” but said the business sector appeared to be on the mend. “knock down” unnecessary or excessive expenses.
The MIA said registrations of new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were lighter than in the last quarter of 2022, however, registrations of plug-in hybrids remained strong. There were 1246 BEVs, 495 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and 2075 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) registered in New Zealand during January.
BEV sales include 1237 light vehicles and 9 heavy vehicles, with top models including the BYD Atto 3 (235 units), followed by the MG ZS (166 units) and the Kia EV6 (149 units). 496 PHEVs were registered in January, with the podium spots going to the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (227 units), Ford Escape (57 units) and Kia Niro (38 units).
HEV sales surged in January, especially for Toyota. The three best-selling hybrid models in New Zealand in the first month of 2023 were the Toyota RAV4 (337 units), Toyota Yaris (212 units) and Toyota Corolla Cross (193 units).
Toyota still led the overall market in January with 20% market share (2529 units), followed by Kia with 12% (1506 units) and Mitsubishi with 10% market share (1298 units).
Toyota led the market in terms of passenger and SUV registrations in January with 17% market share (1540 units), closely followed by Kia with 16% (1506 units) and Mitsubishi with 11% market share (982 units).
Indeed, Toyota took the number one spot in January with the Toyota HiLux (800 units sold) becoming New Zealand’s best-selling car. The HiLux beat its light commercial competitor, Ford’s Ranger (796), and third place was the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (421).
HiLux sales helped Toyota regain the commercial vehicle market lead in January with 31% market share (989 units), followed by Ford with 28% (892 units) and Mitsubishi third with 10% (316 units). ). Mitsubishi Triton is the 3rd best-selling model in January with 311 units.
The best-selling passenger cars and SUVs of the month are Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
(421 units), followed by Toyota RAV4 (386 units) and Kia Stonic (341 units).
Smaller vehicles, including the Kia Stonic, formed part of the strongest sales segment in New Zealand in January with 28% of total sales coming from the Compact SUV segment. Midsize SUV sales took second place with 20% of sales ahead of the 4×4 Pickup/Chassis segment with 15%.
Overall, the small and medium vehicle segments account for 61% of the total market.
Top 10 sales by Make (passenger, SUV and commercial January):
Make |
The sale |
Share |
Toyota |
2529 |
20% |
that |
1506 |
twelfth% |
Mitsubishi |
1298 |
ten% |
Ford |
1214 |
ten% |
hyundai |
643 |
5% |
suzuki |
577 |
5% |
MG |
426 |
3% |
NISSAN |
360 |
3% |
Honda’s motobike |
348 |
3% |
Mazda |
332 |
3% |
Top 10 sales by Model (January passenger and SUV):
Model |
The sale |
Share |
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross |
421 |
5% |
TOYOTA RAV4 |
386 |
4% |
Kia Stonic |
341 |
4% |
Kia Niro |
338 |
4% |
quick suzuki |
326 |
4% |
MGZS |
311 |
3% |
Mitsubishi Outlander |
301 |
3% |
BYD Atto 3 |
235 |
3% |
Toyota Yaris Cross |
229 |
2% |
Toyota Corolla |
217 |
2% |
Top 10 sales by Model (January ad):
Model |
The sale |
Share |
Toyota Hilux |
800 |
25% |
Ford Ranger |
796 |
25% |
Mitsubishi Triton |
311 |
ten% |
Toyota HiAce |
159 |
5% |
NISSAN Navara |
101 |
3% |
Ford Transit |
96 |
3% |
Isuzu D-Max |
95 |
3% |
Isuzu F Series |
37 |
first% |
LDV G10 |
36 |
first% |
Download Hyundai Staria |
34 |
first% |