Mixed results for imports

There were 5,462 used passenger vehicles imported last month, which was up 15.9 per cent from October 2024 when 4,714 units crossed our borders.

However, the latest tally represented a drop of 3.7 per cent from September when 5,670 units.

The year-to-date total for 2025 is now 65,114. This is 12.6 per cent lower than the 74,514 achieved at the same time last year, according to figures from Customs NZ. 

Last month, 5,222 units were imported from Japan for a 95.6 per cent share of the market. Australia was next with 169 units, followed by the US on 21, South Africa and the UK each on 17 and Singapore with 13. 

As for used light commercials, 306 crossed the border in October to bring the year-to-date total to 2,183. 

Last month’s figure was up by 17.2 per cent from the 261 units imported in September and 78.9 per cent higher than the 171 in October 2024.

Japan main source

As for new passenger vehicles, some 9,352 units were brought into New Zealand last month. 

This was up 12.3 per cent from 8,331 units in October last year but 8.3 per cent lower than September’s tally of 10,195.

October’s total means 77,170 vehicles have come in so far in 2025, which is four per cent higher than the 74,218 units for the same period a year ago.

Japan was the main country of export with 4,983 units, followed by South Korea with 1,166, China on 1,013, Thailand with 707 and Belgium on 398.

For new light commercials, there were 2,118 units imported in October, which was 20.3 per cent lower than the 2,659 achieved a year ago.

It was also down 12.3 per cent from 2,416 units in September this year. The year-to-date total now stands at 22,664 units.

Overall, 17,619 vehicles, including trucks and buses, crossed our border in October. This was down from 18,808 in the previous month.