Market for old 4WDs in a fast drive downhill

Perry Kerr

Sales of old four-wheel-drive vehicles have collapsed amid the trend towards fuel-efficient cars.

Land Transport NZ figures show that while used imported cars are getting older, the average age of 4WDs is falling.

Over the past six months, total sales of used imported 4WDs were nearly 21 per cent down on a monthly basis, compared with the average monthly sales figure for 2005.

The entire drop was in older vehicles. Sales of 4WDs eight years old or less have been nearly static, but those of nine years or more plunged almost 50 per cent.

Motor Industry Association chief executive Perry Kerr said several factors were at play.

"We'd attribute it to unfortunate experiences with badly maintained old diesel engines, the high cost of fuel, tyres and other maintenance for those who can least afford it, and the glut of old 4WDs on the market," he said.

Last week the MIA, which represents new car importers, said sales of new large cars had fallen dramatically in the past six years, while "micro" and light cars doubled market share - a trend attributed to higher fuel prices.

Yesterday's figures also showed used imports generally were getting older.

The average age of a used import was now 8.32 years old compared with 8.01 years last year.

Mr Kerr said used importers were struggling to compete on price against used cars which had been new in NZ, chasing older and older stock.

This was "infesting our roads with old-generation technology which is doing nothing for safety or the environment".

- NZPA