New-car market ends year looking healthy

The New Zealand new-car market is headed for its biggest sales year since 1989, the first year the market began to feel the effects of used imports.

Sales at the end of November were 8 per cent up on the same period last year and heading for an overall 100,000 units in 2004, the most since 100,892 sales in 1989.

Combined sales of 68,861 new cars and 22,176 commercials in the first 11 months of 2004 were almost identical to total overall sales last year.

Perry Kerr, chief executive officer of the Motor Industry Association, said: "We've been in sustained growth mode for three years now, spurred on by a strong economy and new vehicles that represent excellent value."

Last month's sales remained strong, with the 6691 new cars and 2057 commercials up nearly 16 per cent on November 2003.

Ford edged out Toyota in passenger and commercial sales for November, but Toyota has a strong overall lead for the year. Holden Commodore remains the top-selling car, followed by Ford Falcon and Toyota Corolla.

The buoyant market is pushing Toyota to its 17th consecutive year as the country's most popular brand.

At the end of November, Toyota had sold 17,814 new vehicles for 19.6 per cent of the total market, with Ford on 14,813 (16.3), followed by Holden with 14,233 (15.6).

Then came Mitsubishi with 8391 (9.2), Nissan 6802 (7.5), Honda 5230 (5.7), and Mazda with 4752 (5.2).

Land Transport NZ registrations at November 30: Toyota 12,739 cars; 5075 commercials (19.6 per cent). Ford 10,780; 4033 (16.3). Holden 10,137; 4096 (15.6). Mitsubishi 5476; 2915 (9.2). Nissan 5015; 1787 (7.5). Honda 5230 (5.7). Mazda 3508; 1244 (5.2). Hyundai 2475; 180 (2.9). Subaru 1877 (2.1). BMW 1838 (2.0). Volkswagen 1381; 359 (1.9). Mercedes-Benz 1089; 300 (1.5). Suzuki 1190; 67 (1.4). Peugeot 1206 (1.3). Chrysler 818 (0.9). Audi 765 (0.8). Kia 421; 286 (0.8). Daewoo 501 (0.6). Rover 440; 46 (0.5). Others 1975 cars; 1788 commercials (4.2).