Only two traditional passenger cars figured in New Zealand’s 10 best-selling vehicles at the end of August, a clear-cut sign of the continuing demand for SUVs and utes.
The Toyota Corolla was third and the Holden Commodore seventh on a year-to-date list which included four utes, three SUVs, and one van, according to Motor Industry Association (MIA) registrations. The four utes were among the top six nameplates.
The leader of the pack was the Ford Ranger with 4228 registrations, 656 ahead of 3572 for Toyota Hilux. Corolla was next with 3377 followed by Holden Colorado ute (2391), Toyota RAV4 (2323), Nissan Navara (2307), Holden Commodore (1870), Mazda CX-5 (1711), Hyundai iX35 (1673), Toyota Hiace (1660).
Sales in 2015 at the end of last month stood at 87,105, an average so far of 10,900 a month and roughly 5 per cent up on the same period last year.
“Given the year-to-date sales position it is likely the industry will break the 130,000-unit barrier in 2015 for the first time ever,” said MIA president John Manley.
There were 11,192 registrations in August (the strongest August since 1986), split between 7752 passenger cars and 3440 commercials. Passenger cars were up 9.4 per cent and commercials 10.8 per cent on the same month last year. The best-selling car for the month was the Corolla (621); the best-selling commercial the Ranger (735).
Corolla’s August numbers were boosted by 378 rentals. Almost 24 per cent (3750) of Toyota’s overall sales of 15,856 units year-to-date have been rentals. Holden is next in the rental market with around 12 per cent (1092) of its 8930 registrations, followed by Mitsubishi’s 6 per cent (451/5469).
The Corolla dominates rental sales. Of the 3371 Corollas registered in the past eight months, 1187 (35 per cent) went to rental companies.
Top 15 passenger car sales YTD
Toyota Corolla 3371; Toyota RAV4 23223; Holden Commodore 1762; Mazda CX-5 1711; Hyundai iX35 1673; Mazda3 1622; Suzuki Swift 1591; Toyota Yaris 1555; Holden Captiva 1492; Hyundai Santa Fe 1430; Honda Jazz 1403; Toyota Highlander 1377; Mitsubishi Outlander 1271; Mitsubishi ASX 1180; Mazda2 1063.
Top 15 commercials YTD
Ford Ranger 4228; Toyota Hilux 3572; Holden Colorado 2391; Nissan Navara 22307; Toyota HiAce 1653; Mitsubishi Triton 1538; Isuzu D-Max 1199; Mazda BT-50 961; Volkswagen Amarok 629; Ford Transit 615; Ssangyong Actyon Sport 498; Hyundai iLoad 455; Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 327; Foton Tunland 309; Isuzu Trucks N Series 303.