Leaf bucks market trend

The number of used-imported cars registered in New Zealand fell by 26.1 per cent last month to 6,441, when compared with the 8,717 units in April 2024.

The latest figures take the year-to-date total to 27,877, which is 21.2 per cent lower than the 35,364 units at the same stage a year ago.

April’s figures were also down by 11.4 per cent from the 7,273 units registered in March this year.

The Toyota Aqua was the most popular model last month with 679 registrations – down 19.5 per cent from 844 units in April last year – and a market share of 10.5 per cent.

Toyota maintained its dominance of the top three spots last month with its Prius next on 459 units and 7.1 per cent of the market and the Corolla on 342 and 5.3 per cent.

Mazda’s Axela was fourth with 271 sales for a 4.2 per cent market share and the Nissan note completed the top five on 248 units and 3.9 per cent.

Registration numbers were down year-on-year for most of the leading models in April. Nissan’s Leaf, pictured, was 16th on the models’ ladder and the highest-placed climber after its sales rose 33.8 per cent from 80 to 107.

The Aqua is top of the year-to-date standings on 2,856 units and a market share of 10.2 per cent, followed by the Prius on 1,939 and seven per cent.

Toyota was the leading marque in April with 2,397 registrations for 37.2 per cent of the market.

Its monthly total was down by 29.2 per cent from 3,384 in the same month of 2024. 

Nissan was the second most popular brand last month with 890 units for a market share of 13.8 per cent, and Mazda was third on 871 registrations, or 13.5 per cent. 

Year to date, Toyota is number one on the marques’ ladder with 10,294 registrations and a 36.9 per cent market share. 

Nissan is next on 3,795 and 13.6 per cent, and Mazda has 3,553 and 12.7 per cent.