BUYERS DEFY PREDICTIONS IN STRONGEST APRIL YET FOR PASSENGER VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS
Though industry insiders had tipped April to be a slow month for new-vehicle sales in New Zealand, the registration figures show a record month.
Due to Easter at the start of the month, and then the long Anzac weekend, pundits had predicted that Kiwis wouldn’t be spending much time in car dealerships in April.
But according to the Motor Industry Association last month’s registrations of 2915 new commercial vehicles was the strongest April on record.
There were 6375 new passenger registrations, giving a combined total of 9290 units.
“This is the strongest month of April for all new-vehicle registrations since records began in 1989,” said MIA’s chief executive David Crawford.
April registrations were up 6 per cent (561 units) on the same month last year, while for the year to date the new-vehicle market was up 7 per cent (2955 units).
Toyota was the overall market leader for April with 15 per cent market share (1414 units) followed by Ford with 12 per cent (1075) and Holden with 9 per cent (839).
New registrations of 6375 passenger vehicles for April were 224 units higher than for April 2014.
Toyota was the market leader for passenger vehicles with 12 per cent market share (794 units), followed by Mazda with 9 per cent (598) and Hyundai with 9 per cent (587).
The Toyota Corolla was the top-selling passenger vehicle for April, followed by the Suzuki Swift and Hyundai’s iX35.
The April figures gave Mazda NZ plenty of reasons to celebrate. For the first time in the company’s history it was in second place following its best April on record and its 15th consecutive month of record sales.
And despite being only just launched, the CX-3 finished number one in the compact SUV segment.
“April was an outstanding one for Mazda and to move into the number two position for passenger sales feels extremely rewarding,” said Mazda NZ’s managing director, Andrew Clearwater.
“We are particularly thrilled with the performance of the first-ever Mazda CX-3 that finished number one ... some 30 units ahead of its nearest competitor in its first month on sale.”
Meanwhile, Ford’s Ranger ute continues to dominate the commercial segment, following its success in 2014 where it knocked Toyota’s Hilux from its 32-year record.
The Ranger regained the monthly top-selling commercial model for April with 17 per cent market share (487 units) followed by the Hilux with 14 per cent (401) and the Nissan Navara with 12 per cent (347).
Year to date, the Ranger is the top-selling commercial model with 15 per cent market share (1797) followed by the Hilux on 14 per cent (1699).