Used imports on the slide

There were 6,813 used passenger vehicles imported last month, a fall of 13.3 per cent from June when 7,857 units crossed our borders.

July’s total was also down by 5.1 per cent from 7,176 units in the same month a year ago.

The year-to-date total for 2025 is now 48,983. This is 16.4 per cent lower than the 58,599 achieved at the same time last year, according to figures from Customs NZ. 

Last month, 6,553 units were imported from Japan for a 96.2 per cent share of the market. Australia was next with 189 units, followed by Singapore on 23 and the US with 16. 

As for used light commercials, 287 crossed the border in July to bring the year-to-date total to 1,370. 

Last month’s figure – the second highest of the year – was down by 2.4 per cent from the 294 units imported in June and a rise of 17.6 per cent from 244 in July 2024.

New market resurgent

As for new passenger vehicles, there were 10,909 units brought into New Zealand last month. 

July’s tally means 49,870 vehicles have come in so far in 2025, which is down four per cent from the 51,943 units for the same period a year ago.

However, last month’s figure was the highest so far this year and was up by 30 per cent from June this year when the total was 8,391 new cars. 

It was also 17.1 per cent higher than the 9,313 units imported in July 2024.

Japan was the main country of export with 4,491 units, followed by Thailand with 1,561, South Korea on 1,403, China with 1,135 and Australia on 440.

For new light commercials, there were 2,482 units imported in July. This was down 14.7 per cent from 2,910 in June this year.

The July total was also a 1.5 per cent increase from 2,446 units in the same month last year and took the year-to-date figure to 15,827 units.

Overall, 20,825 vehicles, including trucks and buses, crossed our border in July. This was up from 20,008 in the previous month.