New Car Market Highest In Two Years Thanks To Fieldays

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) today announced that during June the new car market had continued its pattern of improvement.

With registration data just released by NZ Transport Agency, figures show that June sales were up 25 percent over May 2010 and a full 34 percent compared to June 2009. For the year to date sales are 17 percent ahead compared to the same time in 2009.

MTA spokesperson Ian Stronach, Marketing and Communications General Manager said “We had expected the improvements that we’ve seen in the early part of the year to be maintained, but the surge in sales in June has probably surprised most people.”
“In recent years June has regularly provided good sales results, particularly in the commercial sector, and this year is no exception. Fieldays inevitably provides a boost for sales, more so nowadays, with many distributors starting their promotional programmes early, and extending coverage to a wide range of vehicles. While it has a farm orientation, the stimulus it provides obviously affects all sectors of the market.”

June’s new car sales of 5786 units were the best monthly figures recorded so far in 2010 and in fact are the highest for 21 months.

Toyota dominated the new car market with sales of 1337 units for a commanding 23.1 percent share. Hyundai performed strongly on the back of several recent new model releases securing second spot with sales of 579 units and a 10 percent share. Following in third spot was Holden with sales of 542 units and a 9.3 percent share, then Ford with sales of 537 units and 9.2 percent share with Mazda rounding out the top five with sales of 383 units and a 6.6 percent share of the market.

Toyota remains the clear new car market leader for the year to date ahead of Holden and Ford.

Not surprisingly, Toyota models featured strongly in terms of individual model sales with RAV4 (421 units), Corolla (219) and LandCruiser Prado (219) heading the way. Traditional leading performers Suzuki Swift (212) and Holden Commodore (211) filled the remaining top spots.

The buoyant market was also evident in used import sales of 7402 which were almost identical to those recorded in May, but importantly were 37 percent ahead compared to the same time in 2009. For the year to date sales are a healthy 41 percent ahead compared to the same time in 2009.

Spurred on by all the promotional activity surrounding Fieldays, there was a noticeable jump in sales of commercial vehicles. Sales of 2218 units were 22 percent ahead of those recorded in June 2009 and 23 percent ahead of those recorded in May 2010 making it the busiest month for sales in two years.

Hilux lead the light commercial market with 539 units followed by Ford ranger (250), Toyota Hiace (195), Nissan Navara (184) and Holden Colorado rounding out the top five with (175).

The recent spate of poor weather may have taken its toll on the motorcycle and scooter market, with no obvious lift in the market. Sales of 390 units were down 17 percent compared to June 2009. For the year to date sales are down by nearly 23 percent compared to the same time in 2009 and is affecting both scooters (60cc and under) and motorcycles (over 60CC) equally. Suzuki moved back to its traditional position of market leadership (66 units) ahead of Triumph (42 units) Yamaha (39units), Harley Davidson (31units) and Honda (30 units).

Download the sales graphs below: