Car sales continue to rise

New car sales rose nearly 20 per cent in March, according to the Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ).

A total of 9109 new vehicles were registered during March. Sales of passenger cars at 6602 were up 14.4 per cent on February while the 2507 commercial vehicles sold was an increase of 37 per cent.

In the year to date, there had been 24,003 new vehicles registered a 3.1 per cent improvement on the same period last year.

Motor Industry Association chief executive Perry Kerr said sales had remained buoyant "despite increased interest rates and darkening clouds over the economy".

"The fact that this is happening as sales of used imports are dropping off from last year's levels confirms that a fundamental shift in the market is taking place," he said in a statement.

Best selling make of vehicle in March was Toyota with 17.4 per cent of new registrations for the month followed by Holden with 16.3 per cent and Ford with 15.2 per cent.

- NZPA