NZ new-vehicle sales up for January

New Zealand new-vehicle sales were up by three per cent in January, boosted by passenger car sales, which at 5601 for the month were 5.8per cent above January last year.

Used imports also rose by 25.5 per cent for the month.

Toyota still tops New Zealand's sales charts, with 22per cent share, followed by Holden and Ford.

Honda is out of the top 10 for the month for the first time in years, but its managing director, Graeme Seymour, says he won't change strategy and is confident Honda can hold on until private buyers return. "We won't get into distress selling as that undermines the customers we have already. We're in a longer game."

That could be a dig at Suzuki, which credits its zero per cent finance promotion for a lift in sales this month.

Meanwhile, the new Government procurement programme due to start in June is causing shivers down a few corporate spines. Where departments used to make their own purchases now one office will manage vehicle buying for 35 departments, including the police.

It will reduce costs, but makes for high-stake decisions from car companies keen to close the sale.