Brakes on for new vehicle sales

Toyota topped a subdued market, selling 1510 new vehicles.

Sales of new motor vehicles last month fell sharply and were the lowest for three years, says Land Transport New Zealand.

But in the first four months of this year 31,927 new vehicles had been sold - 500 more than in the same period last year. There were 6613 new vehicles sold in April - 3130 fewer than April. It was the lowest monthly total since April 2003.

Toyota led the way with sales of 1510 new vehicles for a 22.8 per cent share of the market. Ford was second with 948 for 14.3 per cent and Holden third with 858 for 13 per cent.

Then came Nissan with 469 (7.1 per cent), Mazda 445 (6.7 per cent), Honda 348 (5.3 per cent), Hyundai 274 (4.1 per cent), and Mitsubishi 239 (3.6 per cent).