NZ Car Sales Set Record High in June

New vehicle sales of 23,560 in New Zealand set a record in June, according Motor Industry Association (MIA) numbers, reported the Australasian Fleet Management Association (AfMA).

The new June figures are 95.5% higher than June 2022 and 2,556 units higher than the previous biggest month, March 2022 (21,004 registrations).

A clean car policy change is a factor in both months’ sales figures, said MIA Chief Executive Aimee Wiley, who joined the association in April.

“In March 2022, people rushed to register vehicles to avoid the introduction of Clean Car Discount fees, and we can see this repeated in June 2023, to avoid increasing fees or reducing rebates from 1 July onwards,” Wiley explained.

MIA statistics record, by month and year, the number of vehicles sold by brand, e.g., Ford, Toyota, etc. Sales data represent actual vehicle registrations in the New Zealand Transport Agency Motor Vehicle Register.

Sales Leaders in June

Brands

Toyota was the overall market lead for the month of June with 22.7% market share (5,343 units), followed by Mitsubishi with 12.3% (2,903 units) and Kia with 8.2% market share (1927 units), according to AfMA-cited MIA new car sales figures.

MIA also released June sales leaders by segment:

BEVs, PHEVs & Hybrids Sales

Just under 2,600 light passenger vehicle BEVs (up 91% on average monthly YTD) and 23 light commercial plus 21 heavy commercial vehicle BEVs were registered in June. Top models were the Tesla Model Y (765 units), BYD Atto 3 (440 units) followed by the MG ZS (260 units). BEV’s made up 15% of the light passenger segment in June.

During June, 1,318 PHEVs were registered (up 148% on average monthly YTD). Top models were the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (498 units) followed by the Mitsubishi Outlander (257 units) and the Kia Niro (135 units). PHEVs accounted for 7.6% of the light passenger segment in June.

Registrations of hybrid vehicles (HEVs) were 4,279 units for June (up 111% on average monthly YTD). Top models were the Toyota RAV4 (983 units), followed by the Toyota C-HR (261 units) and the Kia Niro (246 units). Hybrid vehicles comprised 24.7% of the light passenger segment in June.

SUV & Passenger Vehicles

Toyota retained the market lead for passenger and SUV registrations in June with 18.4% market share (3,187 units), followed by Kia with 11.1% (1,927 units) and Mitsubishi with 10.9% market share (1,892 units).

The top selling passenger and SUV models in June were the Toyota RAV4 (1,496 units) followed by the Tesla Model Y (765 units) and the MG ZS (624 units).

Commercial Vehicles

Toyota also took the market lead with 34.4% market share (2,156 units), followed by Ford with 18% (1,128 units) and Mitsubishi third with 16.1% market share (1,011 units).

The top models for the month of June were the Toyota Hilux (1,703 units), followed by the Mitsubishi Triton (1,011 units) and Ford Ranger (975 units).

Segmentation

Top segment spots were the SUV medium (26% share) and SUV compact (23% share), followed by Pick Up/Chassis 4×4 segment with 15% market share. The small to medium segments comprised 60% of the total market.