August 2020 new vehicle registrations in New Zealand were affected by new COVID-19 restrictions, especially the alert level 3 imposed in the largest city, Auckland, after a resurgence of new cases.

Consequently, new vehicle sales fell 15.8% year on year to 10,610.

Year to date sales fell 23.6% to 76,422.

The Motor Industry Association (MIA) said the market "remains heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic".

Kiwis bought 129 pure electric vehicles, 60 PHEVs and 1,013 hybrid vehicles last month. 

Sales of 7,076 passenger and SUV model were down 16.8% while commercial vehicle registrations fell 23.8% to 3,534.

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The top three models in August were the Ford Ranger, Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Hilux.

Toyota remained overall market leader with a 19% share (2,048 units), followed by Ford (13%, 1,349) and Mitsubishi (8%, 811). 

Toyota also topped passenger and SUV registrations with a 19% share followed by Kia (10%) and Suzuki (8%).

The top selling passenger and SUV models were the RAV4, Kia Sportage and Kia Seltos.

Ford retained its commercial vehicle market lead with 30% followed by Toyota (19%) and Mitsubishi (11%).

Ford's Ranger pickup truck remained best selling commercial model (27%) followed by the Hilux (15%) and Mitsubishi Triton (11%).

SUVs again dominated sales in August with SUV medium models taking a 22% slice followed by Pick Up/Chassis 4×4 (18%) and SUV Compact (19%).

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