New-car sales up each month

June marked six consecutive months of new-vehicle sales increases, with stock shortages predicted by year end as companies that ordered in leaner times fail to cope with increased demand.

At the start of the year the industry predicted a 10 per cent increase, but passenger and commercial numbers are up 15.5 per cent.

Toyota seems unaffected by its global recalls, leading with a 21.6 per cent share. Its top three models for June were the RAV4, Corolla and Prado, the off-roaders benefiting from big rental orders.

Toyota NZ chief executive Alistair Davis said: "I think customers make judgments based on their own experience."

Ford is second with 10.76 per cent, just ahead of Holden, with Mazda fourth and Hyundai fifth.

The big movers are Suzuki and Mitsubishi, up 26.3 and 51.6 per cent. Suzuki is playing to its small-car strengths but aims to further leverage Kizashi's arrival to the medium-car segment.

Meanwhile, Mitsi's feeling bullish, with the ASX compact soft-roader here next month.

Of the mainstream brands only Honda is still in decline, out of the top 10 for June behind Volkswagen with just 2.17 per cent share - compared with 5.5 per cent in 2008.

The most popular models for the first six months were Toyota's Corolla, followed by the Suzuki Swift and Holden Commodore.