November new car sales of 4,486, though down on last month’s registrations and November 2008 results, were in line with the industry forecast for 2009, New Zealand’s Motor Industry Association (MIA) said on Friday.
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“November 2008 saw the new car market tip quite dramatically in direct response to the economic downturn coupled with the collapse of a number of car finance companies,” the MIA said in a statement.
“At that point the new car industry predicted that 2009 would be a very difficult year with sales anticipated to be down by up to 30% on recent years.”
CEO Perry Kerr said today this prediction was “Right on the money. We have to remember that this time last year we were coming off the end of a six year boom in the car sales market. The industry is now leaner to meet current market conditions.”
New car registrations for November were 4,486, with commercial sales of 1,249. Commercial volume, though up versus October was well down versus November 2008.
Toyota remained market leader in November with Ford and GM’s Holden rounding out the top three brands in the new passenger vehicle sector.
Toyota also topped commercial vehicle sales followed by Holden and Nissan.
Year to date, Toyota remains in front with overall total market share of 23.28%, followed by Ford with 10.85% and Holden with 9.83%.
The Suzuki Swift was as the top selling passenger model last month, followed by the Toyota Corolla and Ford Falcon. But the Toyota Corolla was best-selling model year to date with 4,335 units sold, ahead Holden’s Commodore (2,705) and the Swift (2,174).
