For some time now, new car sales have been dampened by used imports, mainly from Japan - which drives on the same side of the road. Often, the used imports have been higher than new cars. Used imports will reduce with stricter rules on what will be allowed to be imported.
In 2011 64,000 new cars were sold, partly impacted on issues of supply from Asia, where most cars are sourced. It was the best year since 2008, but still fairly flat. Kiwis seem to like Toyotas and and they raced out of the showrooms in December as supplies returned to normal. It wasn't enough to save Toyota from its lowest market share since 2007 however. It would be nice if New Zealanders showed a little more imagination in their car purchase decision, something not unique to NZ of course.
1 Toyota 11,800 18.4%
2 Holden 6,650 10.4%
3 Hyundai 6,075 9.5%4 Ford 5,875 9.2%
5 Mazda 4,900 7.6%
6 Suzuki 4,750 7.4%
7 Mitsubishi 3,050 4.8%
8 Nissan 2,850 4.4%
9 Honda 2,600 4.1%
10 VW 2,550 4.0%
11 Kia 2,375 3.7%
12 Subaru 1,500 2.3%
13 Audi 1,300 2.1%
14 BMW 1,200 1.9%
15 Chrysler 1,000 1.5%
16 Mercedes 980 1.5%
17 Peugeot 770 1.2%
18 Skoda 510 0.8%
19 Lexus 510 0.8%
20 Ssangyong 440 0.7%
21 Land Rover 390 0.6%
22 MINI 310 0.5%
23 Citroen 210 0.3%
24 Volvo 180 0.3%
25 Chery 170 0.3%
Others 1,040 1.6%
Total 64,000 3.2% increase.
Toyota will get back in 2012 what it lost in 2011, while Hyundai will aim for 2nd spot. Ford went from 2nd to 4th in 2011, and will stay there. VW will press those just above with its aggressive ambitions, and hopefully the under performing Nissan importer will get its act together.
My guess: The market will not be improving in 2012.
Data source: MIA
Holden pic: Taranaki Daily News
No comments