Passenger car and SUV registrations in New Zealand rose 11.8% year on year to 8,387 units in May 2017.
Commercial vehicle sales last month were up 29% to 4,745, a record both for the month and for any month since the Motor Industry Association (MIA) began collecting data in 1975.
Glynn Tulloch, president of the Motor Industry Association, said: "Registration of 13,132 vehicles for the month of May confirms that the growth seen so far this year is sustainable and shows every sign of continuing."
Year to date, new vehicle sales are up 14% to 63,244 units.
Toyota remains overall Kiwi market leader with an 18% share followed by Ford (11%) and Mazda, GM Holden, and Mitsubishi all with 8%.
Toyota also led passenger and SUV registrations with 15% followed by Mazda (11%) and Holden (8%.
Top selling passenger and SUV models last month were the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 and Kia Sportage.
In commercials, Toyota also led the pack with 24% followed by Ford (20%) and Mitsubishi (11%).
The Ford Ranger was again best selling vehicle model in May followed closely by the Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi Triton.
Year to date the Ranger, Hilux and Toyota's Corolla are the most popular models.
"Low interest rates, strong net immigration, strong New Zealand currency and a robust domestic economy continue to underpin the sales of new vehicles," added Tulloch.
