Chinese marques surge
Automotive sales in August defied economic and political uncertainty with a strong result driven by the passenger-vehicle sector, reports the Motor Trade Association (MTA).
And Chinese marques are continuing their strong growth this year, making up one-fifth of new-vehicle registrations last month.
Larry Fallowfield, the MTA’s sector manager for dealers and specialist services, says the numbers come on the back of a strong July.
“Chinese vehicles continue to capture the hearts and wallets of a lot of Kiwis,” he adds. “The August data shows it’s no one-off.”
Total light-vehicle registrations reached 20,252 units, up by 7.6 per cent on the same month of last year.
The passenger-vehicle sector increased 13 per cent to 9,137 units, while new light-vehicle registrations rose 5.5 per cent to 11,716. Used imports also remained strong, climbing by 10.5 per cent to 8,536.
BYD, Chery, Jaecoo and GWM recorded significant gains during August, helping Chinese brands to boost their share of new-vehicle registrations to 18.7 per cent. “That’s an almost threefold increase since 2024,” says Fallowfield, pictured.
Toyota retained its position as New Zealand’s leading brand. It was supported by strong performances by the RAV4, Corolla Cross, Hilux and Prado. Mitsubishi and Kia also recorded solid gains, reflecting continued demand for SUVs and crossovers.
The Toyota Hilux with 890 registrations was the top-selling commercial despite its segment declining by 14.4 per cent.
The shift towards lower-emissions models continued with hybrids remaining the dominant fuel type across private, fleet, rental and government buyers. Company buyers accounted for the largest share of vehicle purchases, representing 43 per cent of registrations.
Fallowfield says: “August’s results highlight a market increasingly shaped by SUV demand, hybrid technology and growing competition from Chinese manufacturers. While
Japanese brands continue to dominate overall market share, emerging brands are gaining momentum and contributing to a more diverse and competitive automotive landscape.”
