There has been another lift in the sale of new vehicles in New Zealand with June’s new car sales figures up 8% over May’s. However, year-so-far totals were still behind 2008.
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In June, 4,306 new cars were registered, compared to 3,979 in May this year, an 8.2% increase. Commercial vehicle volume tose 37.8% month on month to 1,812 units.
“This is another encouraging sign that the New Zealand new car market is through the worst,” said Perry Kerr, CEO of the Motor Industry Association. “Both new car and light commercial sales increased over May’s totals, which themselves were an improvement from the very low sales volumes in April, one of the industry’s worst ever months.”
The total new vehicle market for 2009 looks to be approximately two-thirds that of 2008 with new car and commercial sales forecast between 50,000 and 60,000 units.
Kerr said overseas trends indicated that other major markets are now through the worst of sales trough.
“It seems we’re following these trends in New Zealand, which is very encouraging. With June’s total, we’re on track for these predicted 2009 figures.”
Toyota remained market leader for both new cars and commercials. Its overall share of 19.3% put it in front of Ford with 12.4% and Holden with 8.9% year to date.
The Toyota Corolla was again the country’s best-selling model, ahead of the Holden Commodore and the Swift, a Suzuki which has done surprisingly well in that market since launch.
