Imports record monthly growth

There were 7,368 used passenger vehicles imported last month as the number of units crossing our borders fell 3.2 per cent from 7,615 units a year ago.

However, the latest tally represented an increase of 19.3 per cent from February this year when 6,177 units came into the country, according to figures from Customs NZ. 

Last month, 7,116 units were imported from Japan for a 96.6 per cent share of the market. Australia was next with 198 units, followed by the US on 19 and the UK with 13. 

As for used light commercials, 358 crossed the border in March. This was up by 128 per cent year-on-year from 157 units and 42.6 per cent higher than February’s total of 251.

Commercials double

As for new passenger vehicles, some 8,778 units were brought into New Zealand last month. 

This meant a 26.3 per cent rise from 6,951 units in March last year and a 23.4 per cent increase from 7,116 in February.
Japan was the main country of export with 3,848 units, followed by Thailand with 1,444, South Korea on 1,101, China with 720 and Germany on 478.

For new light commercials, there were 2,955 units imported in March, which was 97.5 per cent more than the 1,496 recorded a year ago. The latest figure was also up 58.6 per cent from 1,863 units in February.

Overall, 19,696 vehicles, including trucks and buses, crossed our border in March. This was up from 15,806 in the previous month.