New Zealand vehicles sales in 2019 were still on a negative pathway, despite declining slower than in 2018. Indeed, Total sales 2019 new light vehicles sales were 154.406 (-4.7%). Mitsubishi gained the podium, overtaking the historic Australian brand Holden.
Economic Environment
New Zealand’s economy likely regained some steam in H2, after external headwinds and ebbing construction activity prompted a slowdown in the second quarter. Sturdier retail sales in Q3 suggest consumer spending strengthened amid low price pressures and despite an uptick in unemployment; downbeat business confidence and conditions, however, point to subdued investment activity in the quarter.
Turning to the fourth quarter, mounting consumer optimism in October-November and surging business sentiment in November suggest the economy may have turned a corner. Meanwhile, the government revealed plans to boost infrastructure spending significantly and announced it will broaden its powers to block foreign investment.
Market Trend
New Zealand vehicles market in the 2012-2017 time period has doubled. Indeed, vehicles sales volume grew up from 100.000 in the 2012 to 206.000 in the 2017, hitting the all-time record. However, despite Light Commercial Vehicles’ registrations kept growing, in 2018 the total annual volume dropped sharply (-21.6%), closing with 162.056 units sold.
In 2019, the market registered an unstable trend and the full year ended with a moderately negative. Indeed, according to data released by the Motor Industry Association of New Zealand, Total sales 2019 new light vehicles sales were 154.406 (-4.7%).
Toyota was the actual decade’s dominator, holding 19.6% of market share, while the follower – Ford – kept a stable 9.6% of share. However, great attention was focused on Mitsubishi, raising its share from 5.1% in 2012 to 8.3%. Indeed, the Japanese manufacturer has overtaken the historical Australian brand of the GM Group, Holden, which fell from 10.6% of share in 2014 to 7.8%.
Tables with sales figures
In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group and top 10 Models
