After eighteen consecutive months of falling sales, January new car registrations are ahead of 2009 numbers.
NZTA data shows that there were 5,601 new cars registered in January, which compares with 5,296 for January 2009 (up 5%). Commercial vehicles are not showing the same signs however and were down 9% from a year ago with 1,102 registrations.
Mr Perry Kerr, Chief Executive Officer of the Motor Industry Association, said that "in spite of the commercial numbers, he was quietly confident that the new vehicle industry has 'turned the corner' with industry forecasts showing that we would now see slow but modest growth from here on out".
Highlights:
- Its business as usual for Toyota as they take the top spot for passenger and commercial sales with an overall market share of 22.2%
- Kia is showing they are not just a one model brand with an impressive model spread of registrations pushing them into seventh place in the new car rankings
- Helped by high rental sales and an attractive retail price range for company buyers, the Holden Cruze claimed second place in new model registrations
- Mazda have started the calendar year strongly claiming third place and a 9.44% market share pushing Ford into fourth spot (8.34% market share)
- Suzuki NZ continue to re-invent the Swift and dominate the small car market with 307 registrations for the month. All achieved with no rental car sales
- VW will be a brand to watch this year with a product range that delivers to those looking to buy a non mainstream vehicle with high quality levels at competitive pricing
- Honda continue to slip off the radar and start the year in eleventh place in new car registrations with 3.45% market share
More information
January 2010 new car sales statistics (90 Kb PDF)