NZ Pick Up Sales : 2025-26 (Jan-July)

The pick up market in NZ is a popular segment and the variety has been growing recently. Models from China have been the reason for the increase in variety. The colours below are based on where the brand originated. MG and LDV are now Chinese brands but with UK origins but I put them with China here. 

For now it seems the legacy brand pick up trucks are still the most popular and not being unduly affected by the new entrants. The Ford Ranger has 33% of the market, as an example of that. LDV's ppor showing may be due to a change over of distributor. 

The =/- column compares seven months of 2026 with twelve months of 2025. That's why they are virtually all negative. With registrations currently running at -41%, a number lower than that gets a green up arrow. 

Data source: NZTA. Photos Ford & Nissan (Ranger & Navara).

Nissan/Infiniti Europe Model Sales: 2025-26 (H1)

Nissan release European sales, unlike virtually everyone else. Overall sales are down 12% YTD. 

The Qashqai SUV is the mainstay of the range, making up 50% of the total and about the same as last year. 

Below on the chart are the Juke (Pic above) and X-trail both well down. The new Micra EV is based on the Renault 5 E-Tech and is doing well so far. Meanwhile the Ariya isn't. 

The Leaf doesn't look too good but nearly all the 2026 sales so far were in June. The Primastar van (pic below) is sourced from Renault and is holding its own. 

Infiniti is a boutique marque in Europe but has increased 114%, from virtually no deliveries to very few. Still, going in the right direction. 

Data & picture source: Nissan.

NZ Medium Volume Brands (Europe - Premium) : 2026 (Jan-Apr)

These sort of vehicle has plenty of takers. Land Rover are particularly sought after, the Defender taking 46% of that marque's registrations so far. 

BMW MINI also does well. It's the hatch that leads while the Aceman is also achieving some success. 

Volvo is solid with the XC60 the main model. Porsche has the Macan and Cayenne doing the heavy lifting. 

One thing all four brands here share in common is that they have increased market share so far this year. 

Data source: NZTA. 

NZ Lower Volume Brands (Europe - Mainstream) : 2026 (Jan-Apr)

Kiwis go more for Asian brands, but there are still those who prefer European. Škoda sells well enough as a cheaper, better value VW. SEAT was dropped here as they weren't popular whereas Cupra was much more so. 

Peugeot also has a loyal following, unlike Renault that doesn't sell cars here. I wonder how much longer Citroën will be around, now they are no longer sold in Australia and not doing much here. 

The Ineos Grenadier should be popular here but numbers suggest otherwise. Supply issues and a lack of a broader dealer network (just four) not helping.  Fiat is all about the 500, the sporty Abarth variant just ahead of the regular model. Opel has tried to get a foothold in the market but has barely managed a toehold. 

Data source: NZTA. Photos: Škoda (Superb) & Cupra (Terramar).

NZ Low Volume Brands (Premium) : 2026 (Jan-Apr)

The numbers here are indeed small, but not overlooked by me. Jaguar stopped making cars over a year ago and April 2026 was the first month of zero sales. The importer stocked up, but that can only go so far. When was the last time Jaguar didn't sell a car in a month in NZ? 

The GMC Yukon and Chevy Corvette come through a RHD conversion in Australia, so have started selling here. 

Cadillac has recently started making RHD cars so they are now arriving, but it will always be in limited numbers. Alfa Romeo has had a slow start to the year, the other three listed are always going to be uncommon sights on the road. 

Data source: NZTA. Photos: Morgan (Plus 6) & Cadillac (Vistiq).

NZ Lower Volume Brands (Mainstream - China) : 2026 (Jan-Apr)

The brands here are basically the budget end of the market pricewise. They offer plenty of bang for your buck. Most are new but not all.

LDV arrived in 2016 but have mainly been selling in the LCV market, so haven't done much with passenger cars. 

Omoda and Jaecoo have been just under three years, Chery and Leapmotor two, Dongfeng one and a bit and Forthing their first.

At the price poin they operate at, they must want to be doing better than this and they may achieve that. 

Data source: NZTA. Photos: Cherry (Tiggo 4) & Dongfeng (Box).

NZ Low Volume Brands (Semi-Premium - China) : 2026 (Jan-Apr)

Here are the model sales for some of the smaller Chinese brands in NZ. They will have dealers in major centres but national coverage isn't there. They aspire to be above the maintream brands. That is why MG's IM is here as it is a notch up on its parent brand. 

All these brands are new or nearly new to NZ. Tank is in its third full year and Geely its second. All the others are in their first full, with Zeekr a partial 2025. So early days but pushing on from here will be their expectation.  

Data source: NZTA.

Photos: GWM Tank (300) & Geely (Starray).

NZ Luxury Car Sales : 2025-26 (Jan-Apr)

The small selling marques in a car market can be overlooked due to their modest sales. However, in monetary terms, a lot is tied up in a relatively few vehicles. For a small country, 53 luxury car registrations in just four months isn't too bad a tally. 

The top sellling models were the Bentley Continental and Lamborghini Urus, each with eight. The 12Cylindri and DBX come close with seven.

Data source: NZTA.

Photos: Aston Martin (DBX) & Ferrari (Amalfi).