KEY POINTS:
Sales of new vehicles in New Zealand last year cracked the 100,000 mark. The final figure of 102,468 (77,454 cars and 25,014 commercial vehicles) was only 980 units (1 per cent) behind the 16-year record set in 2005.
Fourth-quarter sales of 26,276 new vehicles, 4.6 per cent ahead of the same period in 2005, saw full-year 2007 sales grow over 2006 by 2.5 per cent.
"It was a great way to finish the year," says Motor Industry Association CEO Perry Kerr. "Despite indications of the economy reaching a plateau, new vehicle sales in 2007 regained ground to the point where they virtually matched 2005, the peak year since the industry recovered from the used import-induced doldrums of the mid-90s.
The new vehicle industry has put its past behind it and is looking forward to continued strength in the future." Toyota finished the year with a flourish - with more than a quarter of the total market in December - to take a commanding lead last year in passenger cars, commercials and total vehicles. Ford finished in second place, while Holden took the bronze for passenger cars and total vehicles (although it was pipped by Nissan for commercials).
The Commodore closed out the year as the country's top-selling car model in spite of a surging finish from the Corolla, with the Falcon hanging on for third.
