New Zealand's Motor Industry Association said April 2020 registrations were down 90% (9,601 units) year on year, as expected, with 1,039 new vehicles sold compared to April 2019 with 10,640 sales.
"April was closed for business other than for the supply of essential vehicles and three business days at the end of the month for contactless sales," MIA CEO David Crawford said.
"That distributors were able to sell as many as they did was testament to their determination to partially re-open for business while maintaining strict health and safety processes.
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"Year to date, the market is down almost 32% (15,676 units) on the same period in 2019."
Registrations of 707 passenger vehicles and SUVs in April 2020 were down 89.6% (6,071 units) year on year.
Commercial vehicle sales fell 91.4% (3,530 units).
The top models in April were the Kia Seltos (95 units), Toyota Hilux (59) and Holden Colorado (38).
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By GlobalDataFifteen BEVs, one PHEV and 27 hybrids were sold.
Kia was overall Kiwi market leader with 16% share (169 units), followed by Toyota (13%, 132) and Suzuki (10%, 102).
The MIA said "the government can play a decisive role in lessening the economic pain we are feeling" and has called for the uptake of plug-in vehicles to be accelerated across the government fleet; postponement of the introduction of a 'feebate scheme' and instead provide incentives for fuel efficient vehicles, to be reviewed in 2023; introduce a vehicle scrappage scheme with financial incentives to remove vehicles older than 20 years and/or where exhaust emissions standards are the equivalent of Euro Three or less from the country's aged vehicle parc.
"This would also be in line with the new road safety strategy and the government's climate change objectives," the MIA said.
