NZ Sales: Green shoots continue across Ditch

KIWI new-vehicle registrations rose 12 per cent in November to 13,615 units – the fifth consecutive month of year-on-year growth – as the market continues a fragile recovery from its recent trough. 

Year-to-date registrations stand at 128,608 units, an 8.5 per cent improvement on the same period in 2024, according to data from the New Zealand Motor Industry Association (MIA). 

The MIA described the market shift as “not momentum in the classic sense but a gentle stabilisation as some demand begins to return”. 

MIA chief executive Aimee Wiley said the recent trend continues to reflect steady but fragile progress across the sector. 

“The past several months show a cautiously improving picture, yet the market remains delicate,” she said. 

“Household budgets are still under pressure and business investment is patchy. The rise in registrations reflects steadying conditions rather than renewed expansion. 

“It suggests the industry is beginning to move out of the trough but has not yet shifted into a sustained growth phase.” 

Fiscal indicators across the Ditch reinforce the mixed backdrop Ms Wiley speaks of, with economic activity remaining soft. 

GDP fell 0.8 per cent in the year to June, consumer spending dropped 1.7 per cent, and employment declined 1.5 per cent – lifting the unemployment rate to five per cent. 

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s recent interest rate cut to 2.5 per cent has eased some financial pressure, and strong primary sector returns continue to provide resilience, but the broader environment remains uneven. 

November’s result was aided by a surge in rental fleet registrations ahead of the summer holidays, which accounted for 31 per cent of the month’s total (4224 units) compared with 26.9 per cent a year earlier. 

Business buyers represented 39.1 per cent of registrations while private buyers accounted for 27.9 per cent. 

Passenger vehicles (including SUVs in NZ reporting) led the market with 10,247 registrations, up 14.5 per cent on November 2024. Hybrid models remained dominant as buyers focused on fuel efficiency and running costs amid a cautious spending environment. 

The Toyota RAV4 was again the top-selling model with 1257 registrations, followed by the Mitsubishi ASX (558), Ford Everest (527), Mitsubishi Outlander (425), Toyota Yaris Cross (348), Suzuki Fronx (302), Hyundai Tucson (272), and Toyota Corolla (271). 

The Suzuki Fronx has quickly entered the New Zealand top 10 following its market debut in July this year. 

In the electrified vehicle space, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) totalled 641 registrations, down from 687 a year earlier. The Tesla Model Y led BEV sales with 136 units, followed by the BYD Sealion 7 (59) and Honda E:N1 (54). 

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) rose strongly to 472 units from 327 in November 2024, with the BYD Sealion 6 leading on 122 registrations ahead of the Geely Starray EM-I (50) and Jaecoo J7 (40). 

Non-plug-in hybrids (HEVs) showed modest growth with 4201 registrations, up from 4129 a year earlier. 

Light commercial vehicle registrations totalled 2820 units, down slightly from the 2918 sold in October but 18.6 per cent higher than November 2024. 

The Ford Ranger again led the segment with 1030 sales, ahead of the Toyota HiLux (621), Mitsubishi Triton (203), Toyota HiAce (183), and BYD Shark 6 (139). 

Heavy commercial vehicles recorded 548 registrations, down a third from the 822 delivered in November 2024. Year-to-date heavy commercial registrations stand at 5298 units, down 27 per cent on the same period last year. 

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter led heavy commercials with 138 registrations, followed by the LDV Deliver 9 (57) and Ford Transit (39). 

The MIA says the key takeaway from November’s new-vehicle registrations data is that recovery is underway but remains vulnerable to shifts in costs, credit conditions and wider economic confidence.