Sales of new commercial vehicles last month soared by 38% compared with the same month a year ago and hit their highest levels for an April since 1982.
The Motor Industry Association says there were 2,235 new commercial vehicles registered last month. And you have to go back to 1982 to find a higher April figure when there were 2,754 sold.
Last month's figures compared with just 1,618 sales in April last year.
Year-to-date commercial vehicles registrations are up 2,615 vehicles, or 41%, on the same time a year ago.
The figures reinforce the general picture of a domestic New Zealand economy that is recovering strongly, with overall business activity picking up.
Private vehicle sales are also getting an uplift, though nowhere near as strongly.
New passenger car sales of 5,908 vehicles in April was up 8.8% on April 2012 sales of 5,430. Passenger registrations are running 3.2% (810 vehicles) ahead of this time 2012.
Chief executive of the MIA David Crawford said, “This result shows the commercial vehicle market remains strong, and well up on the levels of sales pre the global financial crisis. Commercial vehicle registrations continue to perform at levels last seen in the mid 1980s.”
Toyota remains the market leader taking 19.3% of total registrations with 1,477 registrations (918 passenger cars and 559 commercials). Ford was second overall with 944 new vehicle registrations and Holden third with 748 new vehicle registrations. Holden was second in the passenger car segment with 588 registrations followed by Hyundai with 542.
The top selling passenger car model for the month was the Suzuki Swift with 307 sales, followed by Toyota Corolla with 287 sales, with the 3rd equal position going to the Mazda CX – 5 and Toyota RAV 4 each selling 205 cars. In the commercial segment the Ford Ranger was the top selling model with 416 vehicles sold, followed by the Toyota Hilux (360 vehicles) and Nissan Navara on 212 vehicles.
For the month of April the SUV segment remained the most popular with 27.7% of total registrations. This was followed by the Pick Up/Chassis Cab segment which accounted for 19% of all registrations.
We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment.
Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.