Motor Industry Association registration data for December has confirmed 2016 as the best year on record for the new car sector in New Zealand.
“The new vehicle market for 2016 performed significantly beyond expectations and along the way exceeded every single previous record”, said David Crawford, Chief Executive Officer of the Motor Industry Association.
146,753 new vehicles were registered in 2016, an increase of 9.5 per cent on the 2015 total of 134,041. 2016 was the third year in a row registrations have increased.
December figures were also up 9.5 per cent (11,225 units) on the same month last year (10,245 units).
Toyota remained the market leader in December with 26 per cent (2,917 units) market share, followed by Holden (1,030 units) and Ford (965 units) who both held a 9 per cent market share.
New passenger and SUV registrations totalled 8,069 units in December, a 13.5 per cent increase on December 2015 (7,109).
Toyota was the clear market leader for passenger and SUV vehicles with 29 per cent (2,344 units) market share, Holden followed on 10 per cent (776 units) and Mazda third with 9 per cent (714 units).
Toyota's market lead is explained further with the brand claiming four of the top five selling passenger model vehicles in December, the Corolla (905 units) lead the way, followed by the Rav 4 (568 units), Highlander (349 units), Yarris (298 units) and Nissan X-Trail (268 units).
The numbers were helped by high rental sales in December of the Corolla (645 units), Rav 4 (487 units) and Highlander (291 units).
New commercial vehicle registrations totalled 3,156 units in December, 20 units more than the previous year.
The Ford Ranger maintained its position atop the standings in commercial vehicle registrations with 17 per cent (531 units), ahead of the Toyota Hilux (406 units) and Mitsubishi Triton (254 units) which just edged in front of the Holden Colorado (247 units).
Mercedes-Benz topped luxury registrations in December with 192 units, Audi followed with 135 units.
Outright, the Toyota Corolla was the top selling model for the month of December with 905 units, followed by the Toyota RAV4 with 568 units and the Ford Ranger with 531 units.