New Zealand Motor Industry Association data showed October 2021 new vehicle sales rose 16.8% year on year to 13,870 units.
Year to date volume was up 37.8% to 136,886 registrations compared to the first 10 months of 2020.
October (spring) is traditionally a strong month for new vehicle sales in New Zealand. While sales were ahead of Covid hit 2020 they were well behind October results for 2016 to 2019 inclusive.
Stock levels remained low, with shipments of new vehicles going through customs, entry compliance and straight to customers. Long wait lists for popular models continued as international and domestic logistic constraints due to Covid-19 and microchip shortages continue to adversely affect the sector.
The Ford Ranger was again the top selling model, followed by the Toyota RAV4 and Corolla. The Hilux was fifth.
Toyota remained overall market leader with 23% market share (3,123 units), followed by Ford with 15% (2,088 units) and Mitsubishi in third spot with 8% market share (1,094 units).
Toyota also retained the market lead for passenger and SUV registrations with 25% market share (2,324 units) followed by Mitsubishi with 10% (961 units) and Hyundai with 7% market share (642 units).
The top selling passenger and SUV models for the month were the Toyota RAV4 (861 units) followed by the Corolla (742) and the Mitsubishi Outlander (693 units).
Ford retained commercial vehicle market lead with 38% share (1,769 units) followed by Toyota with 17% (799 units) and Nissan third with 8% market share (383 units).
The Ranger was also the best selling commercial model with 34% share (1,610 units) followed by the Hilux with 12% share (585 units) and the Nissan Navara in third place with 8% market share (383 units).