Vehicle Sales Improved In All Sectors in 2013

2013 proved to be a very strong and successful year across the whole vehicle sales sector.

Sales records were set in some segments, while others recorded their best performance in many years.

Motor Trade Association (MTA) spokesperson Ian Stronach says the whole market has been improving in general in recent years, but 2013 proved to be exceptional with improvements in every sector MTA monitored.

“The performance of the industry set the pace for overall economic recovery, and this seems to be a pattern being repeated in overseas economies; vehicle sales have picked up ahead of improvements in other areas,” Stronach says.

Used import passenger vehicles had another strong year, outselling new passenger vehicles by more than 16,500 units. December sales of 9,534 used import passenger vehicles were 2,415 units (34 percent) ahead of the same month in 2012. During the year, 98,971 units were sold – 20,660 units (26 percent) more than in 2012 – making it the strongest year for used import passenger vehicle sales since 2007.

Toyota was the most popular used passenger vehicle brand in 2013, followed by Nissan and Mazda. The Mazda Demio was the most popular individual used passenger vehicle model, heading off Nissan’s Tiida and Suzuki’s Swift.

Sales of 6,371 new passenger vehicles in December were up 269 units (15 percent) compared to December 2012. For the full year, sales of 82,433 units were 5,562 units (7 percent) ahead of 2012, making it the best year for new passenger vehicle sales since 1984.

Toyota was also last year’s most popular new passenger vehicle brand, followed by Holden and Hyundai. Predictably, the Corolla was again the most popular individual passenger vehicle model and New Zealand’s best selling model overall, heading off the Suzuki Swift and the Holden Commodore.

Sales of new commercial vehicles, which had performed strongly all year, were also up in December. The 2,405 units sold were 756 units (46 percent) ahead of December 2012. Full-year sales of 30,861 units were 6,937 units (29 percent) ahead of 2012, making 2013 the best year for new commercial vehicle sales on record.

During 2013, Toyota was the most popular new commercial vehicle brand as well, followed by Ford and Nissan. In a closely-contested race, the Toyota Hilux was the most popular new commercial vehicle, ahead of Ford’s Ranger and the Nissan Navara.

Used import commercial vehicles also enjoyed a better year, although sales were well short of those for new commercials. December sales of 562 units were 234 units (71 percent) more than the same month in 2012. During the year, 6,094 units were sold, 2,578 units (73 percent) more than in 2012, making 2013 the strongest year for used import passenger vehicle sales since 2008.

On-road motorcycles rounded out a successful year for the wider vehicle sales sector. December sales of 696 units were 193 units (38 percent) more than December 2012. During the year, 7,024 units were sold, 1,259 units (22 percent) more than in 2012 – making 2013 the strongest year for on-road motorcycle sales since 2008. Sales of smaller motorcycles and scooters (less than 60cc) were up 28 percent for the year, with motorcycles larger than 60cc up by 19 percent.

For the year overall, Suzuki led the market for on-road motorcycle sales, followed by Honda and Harley Davidson.

​“After such a stellar year, it is hard to see the market sustaining the same level of growth throughout 2014; however, with predictions of solid growth in the economy as a whole, there’s nothing to suggest it won’t still be a good year for the industry,” says Stronach.