11 January 2023

New Zealand Sales : 2022










Registrations for December were up 12% and for 2022 were +4%. The '+/- diff' column below is for market share change. A good result then. Figures are distorted by supply issues but also in this case a tax on larger vehicles that use fossil fuels that came into effect on the 1st of April. It didn't affect passenger cars as much as light commercials, which include the very popular pick-up truck. Still, it did distort things to some degree for cars.  

Mitsubishi overtook Toyota, which seems to be hurting from a lack of stock but also what appears to me as a not too successful switch to fixed pricing. Perhaps less rental cars hasn't helped either. What is certain is Toyota has been the top passenger car brand since 2002 and at times so dominant it looked like it could never be toppled. I have no record of Mitsubishi ever being top although it was regularly second back in the 1980's to what was then a rampant Ford.

Tesla was the best selling brand in December with 1,281 registrations. Toyota snared 1,193 sales and Mitsubishi 981. BYD's first serious month was just August of 2022 and is already 17th. Opel arrived in October but didn't have the dizzying impact BYD had, not that anyone expected it to. Cupra had its first full year and already is well ahead of a longer established SEAT. 

There were 110,862 used cars imported into the country over the year, down 9% from last year. They overwhelmingly come from Japan where they drive on the same side of the road. Used prices and supply are affecting volume. Toyota was the most popular with 36,396 or 33% of the total. The Aqua (13,000) and Prius (6,200) lead the Mazda Axela (4,900 and Corolla (2,950). 

Data source: MIA.

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