Japan disasters continue to affect NZ vehicle sales

Wednesday 6th July 2011

A small fall in the number of new car registrations in June is thought to be due to stock shortages following the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March.

Figures from the New Zealand Transport Agency show 5365 new cars registered in June, down 7.3 percent from a year earlier. Commercial vehicle registrations last month were up 3.1 percent to 2287, while the 6570 used car registrations -- generally imported used cars -- were 11.2 percent down on a year ago.

Motor Industry Association chief executive Perry Kerr said shortages of stock were still having an effect on the sale of new passenger cars.

But he was heartened by the number of vehicles crossing the wharf in June, with Customs clearance statistics showing 1698 cars arriving from Japan, up from 920 in May, while total clearances for the month were 4841 cars.

The rise in commercial vehicles coincided with a strong showing at Fieldays and the associated national promotions, Kerr said.

In the six months to June, passenger vehicle sales were up 3.3 percent or 1010 on a year earlier, with commercial vehicles up 19.3 percent or 1768.

Hyundai was the leading car maker in June with 609 registrations, or 11.35 percent of the total. Toyota was second with 574 registrations, or 10.7 percent, up from sixth place in May but still well down on the 20 percent for the whole of 2010. Holden was third in June with 564 registrations and Ford was fourth with 543.

Among commercial vehicles, the top three places remain unchanged, with Toyota in first place at 696, or 30.4 percent, Ford second with 332, and Nissan third with 329.

The top selling models for the month were all commercial vehicles with 500 Toyota Hilux registrations, followed by 319 Nissan Navaras and 217 Ford Rangers. Top selling passenger car was the Holden Commodore with 201 registrations, followed by 196 Suzuki Swifts and 170 Hyundai i30s.

NZPA

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